"Oh, yes! but——"
"Well! finish."
"Mademoiselle will think that I mean to pay her a compliment; but I am not given to flattery—I say just what I think."
"Well, say it; what do you think?"
"That mademoiselle was the most beautiful of all the ladies, married or single, who were at the house last evening."
"Really? Why, that is very prettily said.—Do you hear what Miretta says to me, aunt?"
Madame de Ravenelle did not reply, but they heard a sound as of prolonged breathing.
"Ah! my aunt is asleep this time," continued Valentine; "so much the better; we can talk more freely; but we will speak a little lower.—Well! my poor Miretta, so you consider me beautiful enough to carry the day over many other women. Several gentlemen told me last night what you have just told me. I received a multitude of compliments, attentions, even declarations! I am well aware that I must look upon them as the little courtesies which it is customary to address to ladies, but, after all, I know also that I am not ugly! And, nevertheless, there is one young man who does not choose to see me, for fear that he may be obliged to show me a little attention."
"Oh! that is most surprising, mademoiselle; unless, indeed, this young noble has some other passion in his heart!"
"That is what I thought, myself; but I am told that it is not so!"