"They have made quite a sensation. All the ladies are saying, in a joking way, that they must have me to write their husbands' epitaphs. The beginning is rather fine: "'O dog of nature, faithful animal!'" "I've heard of a man of nature; but I confess that this is the first time I ever knew the epithet to be applied to a beast. So you think, my dear Raymond, that animals may be moral perverts, do you?" "What's that! why, don't you see it every day? Look at the poor creatures that have to dance and bow and caper and jump through rings to the notes of the flageolet! They have received an education. The marchioness's dog did everything she wanted him to; he snapped at everybody who went near his mistress, and he jumped on the table during dinner to eat out of the plates and dishes. That's the natural instinct, and I maintain that 'dog of nature' is a very happy expression." "Come, come, Monsieur Raymond; drop your _dog_ and finish dressing. If you spend so much time over every part of your costume, we shall not arrive before midnight." "I am at your service. I have got on my boots and breeches; but it seems to me there's a crease on the left-hand side behind." "When you have your coat on, nobody will see it." "True; but in walking or dancing, the coat tails spread." "Well! what does this crease amount to? do you think that the company is going to keep its eye on your rump?" "I tell you, a crease may make a great difference in a man's looks; women notice everything." "The woman who takes any notice of such things must have her hands full at a large party!" "It sets better now. Ah! my cravat." "That will be a long job." "Oh, no! I have made a study of that article of dress, and it goes all alone now. There! that's it. Ought I to turn the ends up or down?" "Turn them either way you choose; but try to make up your mind." "Well, I'll pull 'em out straight. What do you think of that knot?" "Beautiful! you are stunning!" "_Stunning_ is too strong a word; but I think that I look rather well; I've just got three pins to put in." "Great God! we shan't get started at eight o'clock!" "The devil! this is terribly embarrassing; I ought to have thought about it sooner." "What's the matter? have you another engagement?" "I don't know whether I ought to put this turquoise above or below my emerald." "Morbleu! Monsieur Raymond, my patience is exhausted; I am going to start without you." "Here I am! here I am, neighbor! Faith! I have put the turquoise above, no matter what happens." "That's very fortunate." "Now, the coat--the hat--the gloves--and I'm all ready, you see." "Amazing! Let's be off." "All right. Oh! I beg your pardon: I forgot a scented handkerchief."