I don't mind, you know, if he wants
them; but I will ask him to let me keep this."
"And what becomes of all your pretty things?"
"I don't know; I have none now," she answered, "we left them
behind at Spa. Do you know one reason why I would not dance
to-night?" she added, lowering her voice confidentially.
"No; what was it?"
"Because I had not my blue silk frock with lace, that I wear
at the balls at Wiesbaden and Spa. I can dance, you know, papa
taught me; but not in this old frock, and I left my other at
Spa."
"And what were your other reasons?" asked Graham, wondering
more and more at the small specimen of humanity before him.
"Oh! because the room here is so small and crowded. At
Wiesbaden there are rooms large--so large--quite like this
courtyard," extending her small arms by way of giving
expression to her vague sense of grandeur; "and looking-
glasses all round, and crimson sofas, and gold chandeliers,
and ladies in such beautiful dresses, and officers who danced
with me. I don't know any one here."
"And who were the Count and the Prince you were talking about
to Mademoiselle Sophie in the garden this morning?"
Madelon looked disconcerted.
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