The collapsed Mrs. De Peyster heard Matilda enter, pause, then pass into the bedroom, but did not look up; nor a moment later when Olivetta reentered from the bedroom, did she at first raise her dejected head.

“Why, what’s the matter, Cousin Caroline?” cried Olivetta.

There was no occasion for maintaining an appearance before Olivetta, who was almost as faithful and devoted as though a very member of her body.  So Mrs. De Peyster related her misfortune, interrupted by frequent interjections from her sympathetic cousin.

“Do you realize what it means, Olivetta?” she concluded in a benumbed voice.  “It means that, except for less than a thousand which I have on hand,—­a mere nothing,—­I am penniless until more dividends are due—­perhaps months!  I cannot go to Europe!  I cannot go to Newport!”

Olivetta was first stunned, then was ejaculative with consternation.

“But, Caroline,” she cried after a moment, “why not have Judge Harvey get you the money?”

“Out of the question, Olivetta; I do not care to explain.”  She would never unbend to Judge Harvey!  Never!

“Then, why not borrow the money from the bank, as you say Judge Harvey suggested?”

“Olivetta, you should know that that is against my principles.”  She tried to instill proud rebuke into her voice.  But just here was the pinch—­or one of them.  To cover the excess in her expenses she had already borrowed—­secretly, for she would never have had it come to Judge Harvey’s knowledge—­from her bank to the very limit of her personal credit.

Olivetta’s distressed eyes fell upon one of the jewel cases which Marie had left in the sitting-room.

“There are your jewels, Caroline.  But, of course you wouldn’t consider raising money—­”

“On my jewels!  How can you think of such a thing!”

“Of course not, of course not,” fluttered Olivetta.  “Please forgive me, Caroline.  I do so admire your strict principles!”

Mrs. De Peyster accepted apology and tribute with a forgiving nod.  But just here was another of the pinches.  The previous spring, while in Paris, she had had her jewels most confidentially replaced with excellent imitations; and the original stones were at this moment lying as pledges in the vaults of a Parisian banker.

“But, Caroline,” pursued the sympathetic Olivetta, “can’t you cut down expenses and remain in town?  What with your credit, you have enough for that!”

“Remain in town, when everybody is leaving?” cried Mrs. De Peyster.  “Are you out of your senses Olivetta?  Why, people would never stop talking about it!”

“Of course—­you’re right—­forgive me,” stammered Olivetta.  “But you might go to some modest resort for the summer—­or—­or—­go to Europe in a more modest way.”

“Olivetta, you grow more absurd every moment!” exclaimed Mrs. De Peyster.  “You know it has long been my custom to spend the first half of the summer in Europe, in a style befitting me, and to spend the second half in Newport.  To do less would set people talking, and might endanger my position.”