The two young men took their places in the
stalls, and amused themselves between the acts by a scrutiny of the
occupants of the house.
Hector Leonce, the Parisian, was familiar with the inmates of every
box.
"Do you see that beautiful, fair-haired woman, with the white camellias
in her hair?" he said, after he had drawn the attention of the
Englishman to several distinguished people. "That is Madame Durski, the
young and wealthy widow of an Austrian officer, and one of the most
celebrated beauties in Paris."
"She is very handsome," answered Reginald, carelessly; "but hers is a
cold style of loveliness--too much like a face moulded out of wax."
"Wait till you see her animated," replied Hector Leonce. "We will go to
her box presently."
When the curtain fell on the close of the following act the two men
left the stalls, and made their way to Madame Durski's box.
She received them courteously, and Reginald Eversleigh speedily
perceived that her beauty, fair and wax-like as it was, did not lack
intellectual grace. She talked well, and her manner had the tone of
good society. Reginald was surprised to see her attended only by the
little Englishwoman, in her dress of threadbare black velvet.
After the opera Sir Reginald and Hector Leonce accompanied Madame
Durski to her apartments in the Rue du Faubourg, St. Honore; and there
the baronet beheld higher play than he had ever seen before in a
private house presided over by a woman.
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