ufficiently high dress to justify such an appendage as that which
Monson has just mentioned. The handkerchief ought not to cost more than
the rest of the toilette."

"It is true, Mr. Shoreham," put in Julia, with vivacity, if not with
spirit, "that our women do not dress as women of rank sometimes dress
in Europe; but, on the whole, I do not know that we are so much behind
them in appearance."

"Very far from it, my dear Miss Monson--as far as possible--I am the
last man to decry my beautiful countrywomen, who are second to no
others in appearance, certainly; if they do not dress as richly, it is
because they do not need it. Mademoiselle Hennequin has no reason to
deprecate comparisons--and--but--"

"Certainly," answered the governess, when she found the young man
hesitated about proceeding, "certainly; I am not so bigoted, or so
blind, as to wish to deny that the American ladies are very
handsome--handsomer, as a whole, than those of my own country. It would
be idle to deny it--so are those of England and Italy."

"This is being very liberal, Mademoiselle Hennequin, and more than you
are required to admit," observed Mrs. Monson, in the kindest possible
tone of voice, and I make no manner of doubt with a most benevolent
smile, though I could not see her. "Some of the most brilliantly
beautiful women I have ever seen, have been French--perhaps the MOST
brilliantly beautiful."

"That is true, also, madame; but such is not the rule, I think. Both
the English and Americans seem to me handsomer, as a whole, than my own
countrywomen." Now, nothing could be sweeter, or softer, or gentler,
than the voice that made this great concession--for great it certainly
was, as coming from a woman. It appeared to me that the admission, too,
was more than commonly generous, from the circumstance that the
governess was not particularly pretty in her own person. It is true, I
had not yet seen her, but my mesmeritic impulses induced me to fancy as
much.

"What say the YOUNG gentlemen to this?" asked Mr. Monson, laughing.
"This is a question not to be settled altogether by ladies, old or
young."

"Betts Shoreham has substantially told you what HE thinks; and now I
claim a right to give MY opinion," cried John Monson. "Like Betts, I
will not decry my countrywomen, but I shall protest against the
doctrine of their having ALL the beauty in the world. By Jove! I have
seen in ONE opera-house at Rome, more beautiful women than I ever saw
t