lly
greeted by the banker.

Paul glanced round, but there were no signs of Flavia, nor did she
make her appearance until five minutes before the dinner hour, when the
guests flocked round her. She had subdued all her emotions, and not
a quiver of the eyelids disclosed the excitement under which she was
laboring. Her eye rested on Paul, and he bowed ceremoniously. The banker
was delighted, for he had not believed much in her self-command. But
Flavia had taken his advice to heart, and when seated at table abstained
from casting a glance in Paul's direction. When dinner was over and many
of the guests had sat down to whist; Flavia ventured to approach Paul,
and in a low voice, which shook a little in spite of her efforts,
said,--

"Will you not play me one of your own compositions, M. Violaine?"

Paul was but a medium performer, but Flavia seemed in the seventh
heaven, while her father and Dr. Hortebise, who had taken their seats
not far away, watched the young couple with much anxiety.

"How she adores him!" whispered the banker. "And yet I cannot judge of
the effect that she has produced upon him."

"Surely Mascarin will worm it all out of him to-morrow," returned the
doctor. "To-morrow the poor fellow will have his hands full, for there
is to be a general meeting, when we shall hear all about Catenac's
ideas, and I shall be glad to know what Croisenois's conduct will be
when he knows what he is wanted for."

It was growing late, and the guests began to drop off. Dr. Hortebise
signalled to Paul, and they left the house together. According to the
promise to her father, Flavia had acted her part so well, that Paul did
not know whether he had made an impression or not.

CHAPTER XV.

MASTER CHUPIN.

Beaumarchef, when Mascarin called a general meeting of his associates,
was in the habit of assuming his very best attire; for as he was often
called into the inner office to answer questions, he was much
impressed with the importance of the occasion. This time, however, the
subordinate, although he had received due notice of the meeting, was
still in his every-day dress. This discomposed him a good deal, though
he kept muttering to himself that he meant no disrespect by it. Early in
the morning he had been compelled to make up the accounts of two
cooks, who, having obtained situations, were leaving the servants'
lodging-house. When this matter was completed, he had hoped for half an
hour's leisure. As he was cross