ried on before a gathering crowd of admiring auditors.

"Thus, then, madame," replied Rodolph, "will your flattering reception
of to-night live long in my memory; and I shall promise myself the
happiness of recalling this evening's fete, with its tasteful
arrangements and crowd of attending beauties. Ah, Madame la Comtesse,
who like you can effect such a union of taste and elegance as now
sparkles around us?"

"Your royal highness is too indulgent."

"But I have a very important question to ask you: Why is it that,
lovely as are your fair guests, their charms are never seen to such
perfection as when assembled beneath your hospitable roof?"

"Your royal highness is pleased to view our fair visitants through the
same flattering medium with which you are graciously pleased to behold
our poor endeavours for your and their amusement," answered the
ambassador, with a deferential bow.

"Your pardon, count," replied Rodolph, "if I differ with you in opinion.
According to my judgment, the cause proceeds wholly from our amiable
hostess, Madame l'Ambassadrice."

"May I request of your royal highness to solve this enigma?" inquired
the countess, smiling.

"That is easily given, madame, and may be found in the perfect urbanity
and exquisite grace with which you receive your lovely guests, and
whisper to each a few charming and encouraging words, which, if the
least bit exceeding strict truth," said Rodolph, smiling with
good-tempered satire, "renders those who are even praised above their
merits more radiant in beauty from your kind commendations, while those
whose charms admit of no exaggeration are no less radiant with the
happiness of finding themselves so justly appreciated by you; thus each
countenance, thanks to the gentle arts you practise, is made to exhibit
the most smiling delight, for perfect content will set off even homely
features. And thus I account for why it is that woman, all lovely as she
is, never looks so much so as when seen beneath your roof. Come, M.
l'Ambassadeur, own that I have made out a good case, and that you
entirely concur with me in opinion."

"Your royal highness has afforded me too many previous reasons to admire
and adopt your opinions for me to hesitate in the present instance."

"And for me, my lord," said the countess, "at the risk of being included
among those fair ladies who get a little more praise or flattery (which
was it your highness styled it?) than they deserve, I accept you