de Valentin
answered.
"Madame la Marquise!" she repeated, "that's the one I should like."
"So should I!" nearly all the ladies declared in unison.
Mr. Van Reinberg laughed softly to himself. For the first time, he seemed
to be enjoying the situation.
"There's nothing for it but the hat, Mr. de Valentin," he declared.
Mr. de Valentin bowed.
"If every one is agreeable," he said stiffly, drawing a sheet of note
paper towards him and beginning to write.
No one seemed quite satisfied; but, on the other hand, no one had any
other suggestion to make. Mr. Van Reinberg leaned forward in his chair.
He was beginning, apparently, to take a keen interest in the proceedings.
"Of course," he said softly, "the names could be read out, and if any of
you took a special fancy to any of the titles, we could have a sort of
auction, the proceeds to go to the fund."
Mr. de Valentin turned towards him with a stony look. Only his eyes
expressed his anger.
"I presume that you are not in earnest, Mr. Van Reinberg," he said in a
low tone.
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