'At the French ball to which Madame kindly allowed me to go, the valet of Mr.Van Torp approached me.' 'Indeed!' exclaimed Cordova absently.

'How very disagreeable!' 'I see that Madame is not listening,' said Alphonsine, taking offence.
What she said was so true that Margaret did not answer at all.
Besides, the buttering process was finished, and it was time for the hot water.

She went to the ugly stationary washstand and bent over it, while the maid kept her hair from her face.

Alphonsine spoke again when she was sure that her mistress could not possibly answer her.
'Mr.Van Torp's valet asked me whether I thought Madame would be willing to sing in church, at the wedding, the day after to-morrow,' she said, holding the Primadonna's back hair firmly.
The head moved energetically under her hands.

Margaret would certainly not sing at Mr.Van Torp's wedding, and she even tried to say so, but her voice only bubbled and sputtered ineffectually through the soap and water.
'I was sure Madame would not,' continued the maid, 'though Mr.Van Torp's valet said that money was no object.