female hairdresser, for I had not yet followed the mode,
which began to be very general, of having my hair
dressed by a man. Comte Jean passed alternately from
my dressing-room to the kitchen. He knew Lebel was a
gallant and a gourmand, and he was anxious to please
him in all senses at once.

At one o'clock I was under arms, and prepared to re-
ceive him on whom my destiny depended. As soon as I
reached the drawing-room, comte Jean compelled me to
submit to the test of a rigid examination. His serious
air amused me much as he gazed at me some time in
solemn silence. At length his forehead relaxed, a smile
of satisfaction played on his lips, and extending his arms
to me, without venturing to touch me, "You are charm-
ing, divine," he said; "Lebel ought to go and hang him-
self if he does not fall down at your knees."

Soon afterwards the folding-doors were hastily opened,
and a servant announced M. Lebel, premier de sa Majesté,
with M. Morand. The comte went to meet the arrivals,
and as I now saw Lebel for the first time, he presented
him to me formally.

"Sister, this is M. Lebel, premier de sa Majesté, who
has done us the honor to come and dine with us."

"And he confers a real pleasure on us," said I, look-
ing smilingly on M. Lebel. My look had its effect, for
Lebel remained mute and motionless from admiration at
my person. At length he stammered out a few incoher-
ent words, which I imagined to be compliments. The
comte watched Lebel anxiously, and Morand began to rub
his hands, saying:

"Well, sir, what think you of our celestial beauty"

"She is worthy of a throne," replied Lebel, bending
his head before me, and taking my hand, which he
pressed respectfully to his lips. This reply was, perhaps,
inadvertently made, but I took it as a good augury.
"Yes," added Lebel, "you are the most lovely creature I
ever met, though no one is more in the habit of seeing
handsome females than myself."

"And of causing them to be seen by others," replied
comte jean.

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