There seemed to be some difficulty in finding her, and Newman heard a report that she had left the ball, feeling faint.

"She has succumbed to the emotions of the evening," he heard a lady say.

"Poor, dear marquise; I can imagine all that they may have been for her!" But he learned immediately afterwards that she had recovered herself and was seated in an armchair near the doorway, receiving parting compliments from great ladies who insisted upon her not rising.

He himself set out in quest of Madame de Cintre.

He had seen her move past him many times in the rapid circles of a waltz, but in accordance with her explicit instructions he had exchanged no words with her since the beginning of the evening.