in his wrath:

"Mais, Madame--ou MADEMOISELLE." (No print can convey the utter scorn
and contempt of this last word.)

The rest of the sentence was lost to us in the loud laugh of the genial,
good-tempered woman: "_Moi_, Mademoiselle! J'ai ete mariee vingt ans et
j'ai six enfants!"

The whole scene was too funny for words, and, with the exception of this
good lady, all present took themselves as seriously as a University don!

It was a real relief when the solemnity of the reception broke up and we
were ushered into the adjoining dining-room for an excellent tea. Here
I came upon my Swedish friend, who had only just arrived, and "missed
all the fun." She told me there was to be a _seance_ held in the house
next day, and that she had been asking the Countess if I might not be
present. "_It might amuse you, Kat!_" was her irreverent way of putting
it. "_Unfortunately, there seems to be some difficulty about it._"

At this moment Lady Caithness came up, and cordially expressed her
regrets that she could not accede to Madame Bruegel's suggestion.

"Had you been staying until next week, Miss Bates, I would gladly have
arranged for it, but to-morrow is a very special occasion. As a matter
of fact, I have promised M. Petit that no one shall be present except
himself and me, and the two female mediums, of course. On Wednesday we
are to have a crowded meeting here--all the well-known people in Paris
will come--and M. l'Abbe will read his paper explaining that he can no
longer blind his eyes to the new light breaking upon the world through
scientific discovery, etc., but that he remains a loyal son of the
Church, if the Church will allow him to do so. It is, of course, a very
trying and anxious ordeal; for many priests will be present, also a
cardinal and one or more of our bishops. So the _seance_ to-morrow will
be specially devoted to receiving last instructions for the paper he is
about to read, and some words, we trust, of encouragement and hope."

Of course, I hastened to assure Lady Caithness of my full comprehension
of her point, and added that I was only sorry she should have been asked
to alter her arrangements on my account.

"But you will join us on Wednesday at the meeting, I trust? It will be
held at three P.M., in a large room on the ground floor, which is
arranged for such gatherings. I shall expect you then, so we will not
say good-bye."

This was heaping coals of fire on my head; for so observant a woma