f very large estate, and
belonged to the true elite of the country. The manner in which the
clerks received them, indeed, proclaimed this; for, though their other
claims might not have so promptly extracted this homage, their known
wealth would.

Mr. Bobbinet attended these customers in person. Practiced in all that
portion of human knowledge which appertains to a salesman, he let the
sweet girls select two or three dozen handkerchiefs of great beauty,
but totally without ornament, and even pay for them, before he said a
word on the subject of the claims of his reserved corps. When he
thought the proper moment had arrived, however, one of the least
decorated of our party was offered to the consideration of the young
ladies. The sisters were named Anne and Maria, and I could see by the
pleasure that beamed in the soft blue eyes of the former, that she was
quite enchanted with the beauty of the article laid before her so
unexpectedly. I believe it is in FEMALE "human nature" to admire every
thing that is graceful and handsome, and especially when it takes the
form of needle-work. The sweet girls praised handkerchief after
handkerchief, until I was laid before them, when their pleasure
extracted exclamations of delight. All was done so quietly, however,
and in so lady-like a manner, that the attention of no person in the
shop was drawn to them by this natural indulgence of surprise. Still I
observed that neither of the young lades inquired the PRICES, these
being considerations that had no influence on the intrinsic value, in
their eyes; while the circumstance caused my heart to sink within me,
as it clearly proved they did not intend to purchase, and I longed to
become the property of the gentle, serene-eyed Anne. After thanking Mr.
Bobbinet for the trouble he had taken, they ordered their purchases
sent home, and were about to quit the shop.

"Can't I persuade you to take THIS?" demanded Bobbinet, as they were
turning away. "There is not its equal in America. Indeed, one of the
house, our Colonel Silky, who has just returned from Paris, says it was
worked expressly for the dauphine, who was prevented from getting it by
the late revolution."

"It IS a pity so much lace and such exquisite work should be put on a
pocket-handkerchief," said Anne, almost involuntarily. "I fear if they
were on something more suitable, I might buy them."

A smile, a slight blush, and curtsy, concluded the interview; and the
young ladies ha