sole entertainment of which savage nations are susceptible.
Madame de Mercœur and Francesca promenaded through the crowded rooms till they gained a seat near where Mademoiselle was standing. One of the diamond buckles of her sandal was unfastened.
"Ah!" exclaimed the Marechal d'Hôpital, "voilà une demoiselle proprement chaussée à faire la fortune d'un cadet!"
Mademoiselle gave him one of her haughtiest frowns, and turned away. In so doing, the glittering buckle dragged on the ground, and a youth, strikingly handsome, and dressed with just coxcombry enough to indicate that he was not indifferent to the opinion of others, stepped forward, and, dropping on his knee, entreated permission to fasten the buckle. Scarcely looking at him, the Princess accepted his services; the cavalier fastened the clasp, and, bowing profoundly, drew back.
"Splendid diamonds!" said some one at his side.
"Mon Dieu!" exclaimed the youth; "I saw nothing but le plus jol pied du monde."
A personal compliment paid from the sudden impulse of the minute, no woman ever yet resisted;
