Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-12
CHAPTER \.

AL dlnner LapOClnS $ C1dr was dSdAh empty, and Countess Degenfeld ap- peared with Ellen only.
 As the ladies were about to take their seats Miss Rennert drew her favorite carressingly into the chair next her. The lovely girl was thus opposite me, and I noticed with delight that her manner toward me was not quite so constrained as formerly. The color in her cheeks came and went; at the same time she smiled so brightly and looked so wonderfully pretty that l could scarcely keep my eyes from her.
 Mrs. Clifford, without any diversion, and, as it seemed, in highly disa- greeable mood, watched us closely.
 At times her eyes rested upon Ellen with such contempt that Miss Rennert perceived it and looked at her earnest ly in order to bring her to her senses.
 That only served to aggravate the passionate woman more. saw how she nervously picked to pieces a beauti- full bunch of violets while listening to our conversation, in which the countess also joined. The latter was lamenting that valuable lace handkerchief had been soiled, and she did not know how to remedy it.
 Miss Rennert told Ellen pleasantly to bring her the handkerchief and she would show her how to wash it, whereupon Mrs. Clifford smiled mock ingly and said, abruptly, in French:
 ''Myi how much you know! It is very handy. Perhaps you might teach the young lady hairdressing at the same time. That is always expected, toov
 The thrust was so immeasurably coarse and impertinent that none of us could find retort at once. Ellen, who scarcely understood the allusion, but noticed the hostile, malicious tone in which it was made, stared at the woman with large, fright ened eyes.
 Then the voice of Miss Rennert rang out calmly and composedly in very best French:
 eff this insult was meant to recall the time when practised those arts, l do not understand its object; probably 1t was foolishly intended to annoy Miss Ellen. As far as know, it could injure no lady to have a knowledge of such things, especially if she, like Miss Ellen, be so intellectual that she need not fear being lowered by knowing them. But for ladies who have fewer sources o1 knowledge, 1t would be very advisable if they would busy themselves with feminine work; for fashionable sloth often leads to dangerous paths."
 So spoke Miss Rennert without the least excitement, her eyes fastened upon Mrs. Clifford; who, deathly pale with heaving bosom, sat there, while her husband, all attention, but unable to follow the French conversation stared at us all in helpless astonish ment.
 Just at that moment Count Degenfe1t entered, his face red, his eyes dull, evi dently fresh from dinner party. Hi first glance was for Mrs. Clifford, whose emotion must have struck him, for h.
 flew towards me threateningly.
 "What has happened?" he asked hi wife, in a suppressed tone of voice, a the same time questioning Mrs. Giffor'
 with his eyes.
 , Moved by the most conflicting emo
 tions, incapable of any longer control [ ling her feelings, the angry woman burs 3 into tears.
 B Count Degenfeld hastened to her a
 once, and with her husbands help, le . her out of the room.
 , We rose also. Miss Rennert bade u l: good night. Countess Degenfeld la l down on a sofa in a dark corner of tn 2 salon, and sent Ellen, who was yer.
 nervous, upstairs, to gain her com 1 posture, and to bring back some worl I with. her.
 f l sat at the fireplace and tried to req a paper. In few moments Coun 0 Degenfeld entered. He glanced hastil r around, and only seeing present a fe1
 Frenchmen, deep in ecarte, he steppe !, up to me and asked quite excitedly: @ May I be allowed to ask you, Baro 7 Aschen, for an explanation of the 1T ! comprehensible scene at table d. hote 3 You, believe, class yourself amongs ,, the intimate friends of that old Mis y Rennert, the ei-devant lady's maid, wh Q is becoming 50 spoilt here, that sh @ takes upon herself to insult well-bre ' ladies'"
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