They both smiled at me, and I stood half-bewildered. "Go," said M. de Perrencourt with a laugh, clapping me on the shoulder. The two turned away. Madame held out her hand towards me; I bent and kissed it.
"Mr Dale," said she, "you have all the virtues."
"Alas, Madame, I fear you don't mean to commend me."
"Yes, for a rarity, at least. But you have one vice."
"It shall be mended, if your Royal Highness will tell its name."
"Nay, I shall increase it by naming it. But here it is; your eyes are too wide open, Mr Dale."
"My mother, Madame, used to accuse me of a trick of keeping them half-shut."
"Your mother had not seen you at Court, sir."
"True, Madame, nor had my eyes beheld your Royal Highness."