CHAPTER XVII.
Romantic Feelings of Lady C—— —True Love—Disagreeable
Neighbours—Credulity—Mademoiselle Delphine Gay—French Novels—French
Critics—Eligible Mansions—Comforts of Seclusion—Genius of
L.E.L.—The Comtesse d'O—— —A Brilliant Talker—Letter from
Mrs. Hare—Extreme Hospitality—Longchamps—Exhibition of
Spring Fashions—French Beauties—Animated Scene—Promenade at
Longchamps—Extravagance of Mademoiselle Duthé—Modern Morals—Cinq
Mars, by Comte Alfred de Vigny—His Style—Strictures on Mankind—The
best Philosophy—Speech of Lord Grey—The Caterpillar—A Voracious
Appetite—A Refined Lady—La Chronique du temps de Charles
IX, by Prosper Merimée—Estimation of Sir Walter Scott—Jules
Janin—Injudicious Praise—Renewal of Youth—Self-Deception—Grey
Hairs, 194.