'On the other hand, the mistress of the house is charming. One must do women the justice to say, that they never take a pride in ugliness; that they never make elegance to consist in appearing to the greatest possible disadvantage. The woman whom you are visiting, then, is dressed in the best taste. A beautiful lace cap covers her light hair; she wears a soft figured Gros do Naples; her stockings are of exquisite fineness; her shoes irreproachable (we doubt not they bear the mark of either Gros or Müller); her Valenciennes cuffs are irresistible: everything betokens care and fastidious nicety. The freshness of her appearance is a satire on the negligence of yours. One cannot comprehend why this elegant woman should have prepared herself in so costly a manner to receive this man; and in the evening, really the contrast is greater still. Young men no longer wear stockings when they go into a party; yet they dare not just yet present themselves in boots; and therefore they come in _brodequins_, like students. We are in the age of the _juste-milieu_; and this is appropriate enough. The _brodequin_ is in its right place half-way between shoes and boots. These ill-dressed men are surrounded by women blazing in jewels and diamonds, coronets and diadems. It is impossible to believe that such differently dressed beings can be of the same country and station in society; and yet they are all talking and chirping together: and what conversation! what a conflict of subjects! what an inexplicable picture of forethought and thoughtlessness! or rather of apathy! '"And do you also believe in a revolution, M. de P----?" inquires a charming princess, spreading out her fan. '"Certainly, madame; and I hope we shall have one sooner than some may think." '"What! monsieur--you make me tremble." '"Can you, then, be afraid of a revolution which will bring about what you wish for?" '"No; but we shall have some cruel moments to pass through." '"Some may; but not everybody." '"Bah! revolutions make no selection; and then, when once the scaffold is set up"---- '"How fast you travel, madame: in our day we shall never bear with scaffolds. The days of Terror will never return!" '"I think with M. de P----," chimes in a young dandy, playing with a Chinese ape on the table: "I rather look for civil war." '"I do not expect it; we have not energy enough for a civil war." ... '"But you will have household assassinations, probably, if that will be any comfort." '"And then, the pillage of Paris!" '"Pillage!" '"Certainly." And every one cries: '"Oh, well, if there is pillage, I will be in it." '"I shall come to your house, madame," says one. "I shall carry away this beautiful vase." '"And I, the plate." '"And I, the charming portrait." '"I have no fixed idea yet. I shall come to your house to-morrow, madame, to choose," &c. '"All this will be very amusing; and yet, when the day comes, I shall not be sorry to be in Italy." '"Well, let us set out, then."