"There may be some little truth in what you say, Frontin; but so far as I am concerned, you must understand that I look at women with other eyes than yours; that is to say, to appear pretty to me, a young woman, even a grisette,--for I do not absolutely debar grisettes,--must have something more than the commonplace beauties which charm you other men on the instant. She must have a--I don't know what--a certain peculiar fascination which we connoisseurs readily recognize, and to which the common herd of martyrs pay no heed. Tell me, Frontin, what you noticed especially alluring in this girl? I shall see at once whether you're an expert." "What I noticed, monsieur?" "Yes. And, first of all, where did you see her?" "I saw her pass this morning, monsieur, crossing the courtyard; I was in the concierge's lodge, and he said to me: 'See, there's the new tenant of the little entresol! That's Mamzelle Georgette; she's a shirtmaker, and she sews like a fairy, so they say.'--Naturally, I looked at her. I should say that she's about twenty, very well built, with very pleasant, attractive eyes; eyes of the sort that--that----" "Enough, Frontin, I understand. What else?" "_Dame!_ monsieur, her nose is a little turned up, and she has a very large mouth; I saw her teeth when she spoke to the concierge; there isn't one missing, monsieur." "Pardieu! if her teeth were decaying at twenty, that would be unfortunate!" "But I mean that her teeth are very white and even; and her cheeks are rosy and fresh." "I see! a simple, country beauty! she's probably just from the country." "Oh, no! she doesn't look in the least like a peasant; she carries herself too easily for that." "Well, I will see, I will examine her, I will run my eye over her. But I will wager--a toothpick--that your pretty neighbor is a mere ordinary beauty. Does she ever sit at her window?" "Oh! better than that, monsieur: she leaves all her windows wide open, and from ours we can look right into her room; we can even see her little bed in the rear!" "Ah! we can even see her bed? And she leaves her windows open?" "I presume that she shuts them when she goes to bed. And she has curtains." "Ah! Frontin, you knave, you have noticed all that! she has curtains! Parbleu! it would be a pretty state of things if she hadn't! Morals, Frontin, morals! However, I will take a look at this young woman whom you think pretty, and tell you if you know what you're talking about." "Oh! I am sure that monsieur will agree with me." A few moments later, Frontin ran to his master and said: "Monsieur, our young neighbor's windows opposite are wide open, and she's sewing at one of them; you can see her at your ease." Monsieur de Mardeille arose, saying: "This devil of a Frontin! he insists that I must see his little shirtmaker. But beware! if you have disturbed me just to show me some commonplace face, I shall withdraw my confidence in your taste."