uth, heaved
a low sigh, raised her arms above her head, turned her profile
towards the pillow, and remained for some moments as if powerless and
vanquished. Motionless beneath the white tissues that wrapped her round,
she looked like a fair, marble statue, visible beneath a light layer
of snow. Suddenly, Adrienne raised herself up, drew her hand across her
brow, and rang for her women. At the first silver tone of the bell,
the two ivory doors opened. Georgette appeared on the threshold of the
dressing-room, from which Frisky, a little black and-tan dog, with his
golden collar, escaped with a joyful barking. Hebe appeared at the
same time on the threshold of the bath-room. At the further end of this
apartment, lighted from above, might be seen upon a green mat of Spanish
leather, with golden ornaments, a crystal bath in the form of a long
shell. The three only divisions in this masterpiece of glass work, were
concealed by the elegant device of several large reeds in silver,
which rose from the wide base of the bath, also of wrought silver,
representing children and dolphins playing, among branches of natural
coral, and azure shells. Nothing could be more pleasing than the effect
of these purple reeds and ultramarine shells, upon a dull ground of
silver; the balsamic vapor, which rose from the warm, limpid, and
perfumed water, that filled the crystal shell, spread through the
bath-room, and floated like a light cloud into the sleeping-chamber.

Seeing Hebe in her fresh and pretty costume, bringing her a long bathing
gown, hanging upon a bare and dimpled arm, Adrienne said to her: "Where
is Florine, my child?"

"Madame, she went downstairs two hours ago; she was wanted for something
very pressing."

"Who wanted her?"

"The young person who serves Madame as secretary. She went out this
morning very early; and, as soon as she returned, she sent for Florine,
who has not come back since."

"This absence no doubt relates to some important affair of my angelic
minister of succor," said Adrienne, smiling, and thinking of the
hunchback. Then she made a sign to Hebe to approach her bed.

About two hours after rising, Adrienne, having had herself dressed,
as usual, with rare elegance, dismissed her women, and sent for Mother
Bunch, whom she treated with marked deference, always receiving her
alone. The young sempstress entered hastily, with a pale, agitated
countenance, and said, in a trembling voice: "Oh, madame! my
present