“Go on, men! Take out that sofa; now!”
Overcome with surprise, Henrietta remained petrified where she was,
looking at the servants as they went on with their work. What? These
eager adventurers had taken possession of the palace, they invaded it,
they reigned here absolutely, and that was not enough for them! They
meant to take from her even the rooms she had occupied, she, the
daughter of their dupe, the only heiress of Count Ville-Handry! This
impudence seemed to her so monstrous, that unable to believe it, and
yielding to a sudden impulse, she went back to the dining-room, and,
addressing her father, said to him,--
“Is it really true, father, that you have ordered my furniture to be
removed?”
“Yes, I have done so, my daughter. My architect will transform your
three rooms into a large reception-room for Mrs. Brian, who had not
space enough for”--
The young countess made a gesture of displeasure.
“I cannot understand,” she said, “how Aunt Brian can accept that.”
“I beg your pardon,” exclaimed the admirable lady, “this is done
entirely without my consent.”