Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/142

 Count Clawski, who was in these days the devoted slave of the pretty Mrs. Craig, joined the two, who were sitting where we first saw them, in the long balcony of the Casino.

"You are speaking of the picnic, madam," said the diplomate, whose calm and punctilious manner was for the nonce upset. He looked angry and excited. "Parbleu, I will not go, if it rains or shines."

"I heard you had ordered a wonderful vol-au-vent at Hartman's for your contribution," said Mrs. Craig.

"He asks me, this man," continued the Count, notwithstanding Mrs. Craig's remarks, "to subscribe for his picnic, to bring a dish, and a bottle of wine; and when I say to him, 'Now, I will a lady with me bring,' he says, 'Excuse me, I must ask you to send her name in for the approval of the committee!' Committee indeed! I never heard of any but that of Mr. Gray Grosvenor himself; it is to me an insult. Should I bring