ct had contrived to dispose the rich folds of
the white satin with the most exquisite nature, and, without any
question whatever, this living imitation far exceeded the original
picture, and produced universal delight.

The spectators could never be satisfied with demanding a repetition of
the performance, and the very natural wish to see the face and front of
so lovely a creature, when they had done looking at her from behind, at
last became so decided that a merry impatient young wit cried out aloud
the words one is accustomed to write at the bottom of a page, "Tournez,
s'il vous plait," which was echoed all round the room.

The performers, however, understood their advantage too well, and had
mastered too completely the idea of these works of art to yield to the
most general clamor. The daughter remained standing in her shame,
without favoring the spectators with the expression of her face. The
father continued to sit in his attitude of admonition, and the mother
did not lift nose or eyes out of the transparent glass, in which,
although she seemed to be drinking, the wine did not diminish.

We need not describe the number of smaller after-pieces for which had
been chosen Flemish public-house scenes and fair and market days.

The Count and the Baroness departed, promising to return in the first
happy weeks of their approaching union. And Charlotte now had hopes,
after having endured two weary months of it, of ridding herself of the
rest of the party at the same time. She was assured of her daughter's
happiness, as soon as the first tumult of youth and betrothal should
have subsided in her; for the bridegroom considered himself the most
fortunate person in the world. His income was large, his disposition
moderate and rational, and now he found himself further wonderfully
favored in the happiness of becoming the possessor of a young lady with
whom all the world must be charmed. He had so peculiar a way of
referring everything to her, and only to himself through her, that it
gave him an unpleasant feeling when any newly-arrived person did not
devote himself heart and soul to her, and was far from flattered if, as
occasionally happened, particularly with elderly men, he neglected her
for a close intimacy with himself. Every thing was settled about the
Architect. On New Year's day he was to follow him and spend the Carnival
at his house in the city, where Luciana was promising herself infinite
happiness from a repetitio