l wife, that Mrs. Parflete was the one child of their
union, kept the whole aristocratic assembly thrilled with the sense of
taking part in something as distinguished as a Court function, as
exciting as a Court scandal, and as bewildering as a Court conspiracy. A
string orchestra--conducted by Strauss himself--played French melodies
of the eighteenth century. Would there be any dancing? would she sing?
Henriette Duboc had been compared, as a dancer, to La Guimard, said Sir
Piers Harding to the Duchess of Lossett. And who was La Guimard? asked
the Duchess. And was Mrs. Parflete at all like her mother? And did she
bear the extraordinary resemblance, _of which so much had been made_, to
Marie Antoinette? Sir Piers felt bound to own that the likeness was
remarkable. And this de Hausee--what of him? Had Sir Piers seen the odd
announcement, about his name and antecedents, in the _Times_? The
Duchess didn't know what to think. It was all so very odd, but most
interesting, of course. Was M. de Hausee, by any chance, in the
audience? No. Well, perhaps it was better taste on his part to keep
away. The bell rang. All eyes turned toward the blue satin curtains;
they moved: the lights were lowered; the violins played a languorous
air: with a rustle--not unlike that caused by the movement of wings--the
curtains were drawn back and disclosed an empty garden. Then, following
the stage direction, the Marquise entered "_tristement sur la scene_."
The entrance was made quietly, and, for a breathless second, no one
realised that the heroine of the evening had at last appeared. Her
Grace of Lossett began to fear she felt a little disappointed when, in
the nick of time, a great poet, who sat near her, murmured, "Divine."

But at this point we may quote from the _Memoirs_ of Lady Julia
Babington:--

_Mrs. Parflete's personal appearance caused an immediate furore.
Many disagreed about her claims to perfect beauty, but these
hostile feelings did not last longer than five minutes. She was an
extremely pretty woman; rather tall for her slight proportions, but
elegant to a surprising degree. The extraordinary charm of her
acting, her voice, her countenance, and her accent were delightful.
It would have been impossible to display more grace, simplicity,
and ingenuousness than she did: she gave several touches of pathos
in a manner to make one cry, and to quite enchant all who bad taste
enough and m