, covered with a damask French
silk, reposed Madame de Fontanges, attended by three or four young
female slaves, of different complexions, but none of pure African blood.
Others were seated upon the different Persian carpets about the room,
in listless idleness or strewing the petals of the orange-flower, to
perfume the apartment with its odour. The only negro was a little boy,
about six years of age, dressed in a fantastic costume, who sat in a
corner, apparently in a very sulky humour.

Madame de Fontanges was a creole, that is, born in the West Indies, of
French parents. She had been sent home to France for her education, and
had returned at the age of fourteen to Guadaloupe, where she soon after
married Monsieur de Fontanges, an officer of rank, and brother to the
governor of the island. Her form was diminutive, but most perfect; her
hand and arm models for the statuary; while her feet were so small as
almost to excite risibility when you observed them. Her features were
regular, and when raised from their usual listlessness, full of
expression. Large hazel eyes, beautifully pencilled eyebrows, with long
fringed eyelashes, dark and luxuriant hair, Grecian nose, small mouth,
with thin coral lips, were set off by a complexion which even the
climate could not destroy, although it softened it into extreme
delicacy.

Such was the person of Madame de Fontanges, now about eighteen years
old, and one of the most beautiful specimens of the French creoles which
could be imagined. Her perfect little figure needed no support; she was
simply attired in a muslin _robe de chambre_, as she reposed upon the
ottoman, waiting with all the impatience of her caste, for the setting
in of the sea-breeze, which would give some relief from the oppressive
heat of the climate.

"Eventez! Nina, eventez!" cried she to one of her attendants, who was
standing at the head of the sofa, with a large feather fan.

"Oui, madame," replied the girl, stirring up the dormant atmosphere.

"Eventez! Caroline, eventez mes mains, vite."

"Oui, madame," replied the second, working away with another fan.

"Eventez! eventez mes pieds, Mimi."

"Oui, madame," replied the third, fanning in the direction pointed out.

"Louise," said Madame de Fontanges, languidly, after a short pause,
"apporte-moi de l'eau sucree."

"Oui, madame," replied another, rising, in obedience to the order.

"Non, non! Je n'en veux pas--mais j'ai soif horrible. Manchett