What gallantry, what passion, what low asides and snatched kisses! as the squirming dancers intoxicated the spectators' sense or gauzily draped coryphees plunged in the pool now converted into a fountain of wine. The elegant gentlemen and the audacious women guests--themselves miracles of bold costuming and sixty-inch snow-white coiffures--knew the play foretold the coarser revels that all would indulge in after midnight. Around the banqueting tables a number of ladies and gentlemen were seated, some still toying with the savory viands and drinking rare vintages of Champagne, whilst others idly watched the dancers or discussed the latest court news and high life scandal. "Well, what do you think of my retreat from the whirl and bustle of Paris?" asked Marquis de Praille of his vis-a-vis, who was a dashing sort of beauty. "My dear Marquis," replied that lady, "I am delighted. It is a satisfaction to find a gentleman who maintains the customs of his rank." "And yet there are fools who want to change them," exclaimed a young nobleman from the opposite table. "You are right--fools--fools," answered de Praille, as he motioned to the servants for more wine. [Illustration: I WON'T GO ANNOUNCED LOUISE FIRMLY. YOU'LL MEET SOMEBODY, GET MARRIED AND I'LL BE LEFT ALL ALONE.] "By the way," asked the lady who had first spoken, "you have heard the news?" As no one had heard anything particularly new for the last two hours, she continued by saying: "They say that the new minister of police is as hard as a stone, and cold as a fish. He is going to put a stop to all our amusements, and, Marquis, this may be the last entertainment you will give at Bel-Air." "Nonsense!" exclaimed the host. "I'd like to see the minister of police who would dare to interfere with the pleasures of a French nobleman. Who and what is he?" "He is from Touraine; is called the Count de Linieres, and is the uncle of the Chevalier Maurice de Vaudrey." "Where is the Chevalier?" suddenly asked one of the ladies, as she was thus reminded of one whom report had described as rather eccentric, and on whom she wished to exercise her charms. "You promised me I should see him, Marquis." "So I did, and I expect him, as well as another guest. I warn you, ladies, that she will be the rival to you all." "Who is the other guest?" was the question which assailed him from all quarters. "A young lady," answered the Marquis as if enraptured at the thought. "Sweet sixteen, beautiful as a rose, and innocent as an angel." "Where did you find such a pearl?" asked one of the ladies banteringly. "In Normandy." This announcement was followed by a titter from the feminine members of the group. "Yes, I know these Normandy beauties!" scorned one of the ladies, betraying in spite of herself a tinge of jealousy. "Rustics! Quite unpolished and de trop," chimed in another fair one, cat-like in her verbal claws.