“I do not doubt it. What a pity the Chinawomen have such queer eyes.”
“For that reason we come to seek wives at Paris.”
“Truly, doctor, you are adorable! and I am confused by your kindness. I do not know how to express my sense of your compliments, and gratitude for your splendid presents. May I not offer you a box in the fourth tier for your suite? Giselle is performed to-morrow. My cousin has written a play for the Theatre d’Ambigu; I will ask him for a box for you this evening. Perhaps you will accept a free ticket for a month on the railroad to Rouen.”
“Thanks, Mademoiselle! I am as grateful for your kind offers as if I had accepted them. But I have a favor to ask.”
“It is already granted—speak.”
“I have brought with me some Indian ink, and I beg you will permit me to make a picture of your right foot.”
“What a Chinese idea!” cried the danseuse, with a rich burst of merry laughter. “Do you call that a favor? Take your crayon, dear doctor, I give you up my foot; will you copy it au naturel, or in an odalisque’s sandal?”
“I will paint it as it is at this moment.”
“As you like; meantime I will amuse myself and little sister by admiring your thirty fans.”
At the third fan I had a striking resemblance of the wonderful foot. The danseuse glanced at it and uttered a cry of admiration, saying,