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FIRST PART
Midnight was striking, and Countess Gamiani's reception rooms were still sparkling with a thousand lights.
The dancers were warming up to the sounds of a bewitching band in round dances and quadrilles. The ladies dresses were marvellous, the jewels a brilliant sight.
The fête had been organized at a vast expense, and the mistress of the house, gracious and smiling for all her guests, seemed happy at her success. One after another came to her to murmur their thanks in complimentary terms and this only added to her contentment.
As usual, I was satisfied to be a mere looker-on, but I had already remarked more than one detail that disinclined me to as-
