"I have a horror of the little hermaphrodites," agreed Blanche. "They are decked out like women—gaudy ruffles, jewelry in their ears, fans in their hands! May Venus protect us from the reign of those favorites! May the fires of hell consume the popinjays! But to proceed with the pasquil. Attention, my dears:
"Singular Treatise on Incest, by Monsignor the Archbishop of Lyons, recently published and dedicated to Mademoiselle Grisolles, his sister. A pretty couple!
"Monsignor Archbishop studies reserved cases—in the confessional, in order to put them into practice.
"Sermons, by the reverend Father Burning-Fire, faithfully compiled by the street-porters of Paris.
"The Perfect Pig, by Monsieur Villequier, revised, corrected and considerably enlarged by Madam Villequier. Boar and sow!"
The maids of honor roared out aloud as they heard the burlesque title, and they repeated in chorus—"The Perfect Pig!"[58]
"Now comes the last and best," proceeded Blanche. "We are again the theme, together with our good Dame Catherine. Ours the honors, as ever. Meditate upon these dainties:
"Manifesto of the Court Ladies.
"Be it known to all by these presents that the Court Ladies have no less repentance than sins, as appears from the following lamentations.
"Catherine De Medici, the King's Mother.