"A second Marie Antoinette?--too truly and unfortunately so, I have heard! Levity in _any_ station sufficiently reprehensible, but when exhibited in the persons of those whom a higher power has placed in exalted positions, it is most deeply to be deplored. The evil and contagion of its example become incalculable; and even when, which I believe her excusers are wont to assert of Princess Hélène, it is merely traceable to an over-gayety of spirit and an over-carelessness of comment and censure, it should be remembered that we are enjoined to abstain from every _appearance_ of evil!" With which Constance shook out her phylacteries, represented by the thirty-guinea bracade-silk folds of her skirt (a dress I heard her describe as "very plain!--serviceable for travelling"), and glanced at my opposite neighbor with a look which said, "You are evidently not a proper person, but you hear for once what a proper person thinks!" Our charming companion did hear it, for she apparently understood English very well. She laughed a little--a sweet, low, ringing laugh--(I was rather in love with her, I must say--I am still)--and spoke with a slight pretty accent. "True, madame! but ah! what a pity your St. Paul did not advise, too, that people should not go by appearances, and think evil where evil is not!" Lady Maréchale gave stare number two with a curl of her lip, and bent her head stiffly. "What a very strange person!" she observed to Agneta, in a murmur, meant, like a stage aside, to be duly heard and appreciated by the audience. And yet my sisters are thought very admirably bred women, too! But then, a woman alone--a foreigner, a stranger--surely no one would exact courtesy to such, from "ladies of position?" "Have you ever seen Princess Hélène, the Duchess of Lemongenseidlitz, may I ask?" Maréchale inquired, hastily, to cover his wife's sneer. He's a very good fellow, and finds the constant and inevitable society of a saint slightly trying, and a very heavy chastisement for a few words sillily said one morning in St. George's. "I have seen her, monsieur--yes!" "And is she a second Marie Antoinette?" She laughed gayly, showing her beautiful white teeth. "Ah, bah, monsieur! many would say that is a great deal too good a comparison for her! A second Louise de Savoie--a second Duchesse de Chevreuse--nay, a second Lucrezia Borgia, some would tell you. She likes pleasure--who does not, though, except those with whom 'les raisins sont trop verts et bons pour des goujats?'" "What an insufferably bold person!" murmured Constance. "Very disagreeable to meet this style of people!" returned Agneta. And both stiffened themselves with a little more starch; and we know that British wheats produce the stiffest starch in the world! "Who, indeed!" cried Maréchale, regardless of madame's frown. "You know this for truth, then, of Princess Hélène?"