rve to exemplify About's often doubtful taste. The
central story and main figures of _Tolla_ were taken from a collection
of the poor girl's letters published by her family a few years before;
and the original of "Lello" was still alive. _His_ relations tried to
buy up the book, and nearly succeeded. In the MS. About had, while
slightly altering the names, referred pretty fully to this document. The
whole thing has, however, rather a much-ado-about-nothing air and, save
as connected with a periodical of such undoubted "seriousness," might
suggest a trick.

[420] "It" was _Timon of Athens_.

[421] It may please the historically given reader to regard this as an
actual survival of the Scudery _histoire_--_Histoire de Madame Fratieff
et de sa fille Nadine_. Only it would, as such, have occupied a score or
two of pages for each one.

[422] Tolla is not so _very_ delightful: but she is meant to be.

[423] About has a gird or two at Balzac, but evidently imitates him. In
this very book, when the old duke (_v. inf._) comes under Madame
Chermidy's influence, he suggests Baron Hulot; and _Madelon_ (_v. inf.
ib._) is almost throughout imitation-Balzacian.

[424] For Honorine, though managing to retain some public reputation,
has long been practically "unclassed"; and it is not only her husband's
profession which has made him leave her.

[425] Germaine, quite naturally and properly, starts with a strong
dislike to her husband. When he takes her to Italy, and devotes himself
to the care of her health, this changes to affection. And the more it
changes, the more disagreeable she makes herself to him.

[426] This also has, in matters not political, the "charming and useful"
side. It would be very unpleasant if she always saw all sides of all
questions.

[427] I am quite aware that the giving up of the islands was not the
_immediate_ result of his mission.

[428] That is to say, supposing that Isopel ever could have been happy
with a lover

So _laggard_ in love, _though_ so dauntless in war

as George Borrow.

[429] As well as the Balzacian following, _haud passibus aequis_, above
referred to.

[430] I do not know whether any other novelists continued the series of
diversely coloured "doctors," as the fly-makers have done.

[431] He _could_ "piffle" when he went out of it. The would-be satirical
characterisation of two aristocrats, Madame d'Arlange and M. de
Commarin, in the book shortly to be noticed, is the th