ravagant masks. Amongst
the delighted crowd, one person alone contemplated the picture with deep
sorrow. It was Mother Bunch, who was still kept, in spite of herself, in
the first rank of spectators.

Separated from her sister for a long time, she now beheld her in all the
pomp of her singular triumph, in the midst of the cries of joy, and
the applause of her companions in pleasure. Yet the eyes of the young
sempstress grew dim with tears; for, though the Bacchanal Queen seemed
to share in the stunning gayety of all around her--though her face was
radiant with smiles, and she appeared fully to enjoy the splendors
of her temporary elevation--yet she had the sincere pity of the poor
workwoman, almost in rags, who was seeking, with the first dawn of
morning, the means of earning her daily bread.

Mother Bunch had forgotten the crowd, to look only at her sister,
whom she tenderly loved--only the more tenderly, that she thought her
situation to be pitied. With her eyes fixed on the joyous and beautiful
girl, her pale and gentle countenance expressed the most touching and
painful interest.

All at once, as the brilliant glance of the Bacchanal Queen travelled
along the crowd, it lighted on the sad features of Mother Bunch.

"My sister!" exclaimed Cephyse--such was the name of the Bacchanal
Queen--"My sister!"--and with one bound, light as a ballet-dancer, she
sprang from her movable throne (which fortunately just happened to
be stopping), and, rushing up to the hunchback, embraced her
affectionately.

All this had passed so rapidly, that the companions of the Bacchanal
Queen, still stupefied by the boldness of her perilous leap, knew not
how to account for it; whilst the masks who surrounded Mother Bunch drew
back in surprise, and the latter, absorbed in the delight of embracing
her sister, whose caresses she returned, did not even think of the
singular contrast between them, which was sure to soon excite the
astonishment and hilarity of the crowd.

Cephyse was the first to think of this, and wishing to save her sister
at least one humiliation, she turned towards the carriage, and said:
"Rose Pompon, throw me down my cloak; and, Ninny Moulin, open the door
directly!"

Having received the cloak, the Bacchanal Queen hastily wrapped it round
her sister, before the latter could speak or move. Then, taking her by
the hand, she said to her: "Come! come!"

"I!" cried Mother Bunch, in alarm. "Do not think of it!"

"I must