ive. You know very well. I mean I would not be as selfish or as dull,
or as ill educated--I won't say worse of him--not to be as handsome,
or as wealthy, or as noble as he is. I swear I would not now change my
place against his, or give up being Clive Newcome to be my Lord Marquis
of Farintosh, with all his acres and titles of nobility.
Ethel. Why are you for ever harping about Lord Farintosh and his
titles? I thought it was only women who were jealous--you gentlemen say
so.--(Hurriedly.) I am going to-night with grandmamma to the Minister
of the Interior, and then to the Russian ball; and to-morrow to the
Tuileries. We dine at the Embassy first; and on Sunday, I suppose, we
shall go to the Rue d'Aguesseau. I can hardly come here before Mon---.
Madam de Florac! Little Leonore is very like you--resembles you very
much. My cousin says he longs to make a drawing of her.
Madame de Florac. My husband always likes that I should be present at
his dinner. Pardon me, young people, that I have been away from you for
a moment.
[Exeunt CLIVE, ETHEL, and Madame DE F. into the house.
CONVERSATION II.-SCENE I. Miss Newcome arrives in Lady Kew's carriage,
which enters the court of the Hotel de Florac.
Saint Jean. Mademoiselle--Madame la Comtesse is gone out but madame
has charged me to say, that she will be at home to the dinner of M. le
Comte, as to the ordinary.
Miss Newcome. Madame de Preville is at home?
Saint Jean. Pardon me, madame is gone out with M. le Baron, and M.
Xavier, and Mademoiselle de Preville. They are gone, miss, I believe,
to visit the parents of Monsieur le Baron; of whom it is probably to-day
the fete: for Mademoiselle Leonore carried a bouquet--no doubt for her
grandpapa. Will it please mademoiselle to enter? I think Monsieur the
Count sounds me. (Bell rings.)
Miss Newcome. Madame la Prince--Madame la Vicomtesse is at home,
Monsieur St. Jean?
Saint Jean. I go to call the people of Madame la Vicomtesse.
[Exit Old SAINT JEAN to the carriage: a Lackey comes presently
in a gorgeous livery, with buttons like little cheese plates.
The Lackey. The Princess is at home, miss, and will be most appy to see
you, miss. (Miss trips up the great stair: a gentleman out of livery
has come forth to the landing, and introduces her to the apartments of
Madame la Princesse.)
The Lackey to the Servants on the box. Good morning, Thomas. How dy' do,
old Backystopper?
Backystopp
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