ill. She murmured:

"Urania, may I introduce ... a fellow-country-man?... Baron Brox ... Principessa di Forte-Braccio...."

Urania knew his name, knew who he was:

"Darling," she whispered to Cornélie, "let me take you to your room. I'll see to everything."

"It's no longer necessary," she said. "I'm much better. I only want a glass of champagne. I am much better, Mrs. Uxeley."

"Why did you run away from me?" asked Rudolph

Brox, with his smile and his eyes in Cornélie's eyes. She smiled and said the first thing that came into her head.

"The dancing has begun," said Mrs. Uxeley. "But who's going to lead my cotillon presently?"

"If I can be of any service, Mrs. Uxeley," said Brox, "I have some little talent as a cotillon-leader."

Mrs. Uxeley was delighted. It was arranged that De Breuil and Urania, Gilio and Countess Costi and Brox and Cornélie should lead the figures in turns.

"You poor darling!" Urania said in Cornélie's ear. "Can you manage it?"

Cornélie smiled:

"Yes, yes, I'm all right again," she whispered. And she moved towards the ball-room on Brox' arm. Urania stared after her in amazement.