"I am distressed beyond measure, gentlemen, to destroy your delusions. Madame de Lormoy, who, I repeat to you, often visits at the Hôtel Lambert, has only seen a young girl, who is the companion of Madame de Hansfeld; she is very young, and not a negress, but her complexion is very dark, and her features are of the Arab cast." "No doubt this is the source whence the black and deformed dwarf proceeded." "What a pity! I do so regret the little negro dwarf; it was so completely of the middle ages!" said M. de Brévannes. [Footnote 1: These words have no precise synonyms in English, but they are nearly equivalent to our slang phrase of "_out-and-outers_."] CHAPTER II A RENDEZVOUS A tolerably large party of idlers congregated around the large chest on which was seated, as on a throne, the domino of whom we have spoken, listened eagerly to the strange versions which were buzzed about of the mysterious lives of the Prince and Princess de Hansfeld. Fortunately for the inquisitive these tales were not yet at their conclusion. "I must remark," said M. de Fierval, "that Madame de Lormoy, the only lady who visits Madame de Hansfeld on very intimate terms, speaks extremely well of her." "For reasons plain enough," said M. de Brévannes; "the smallest bit of rock is always an America for the modern Columbuses. Madame de Lormoy _has found_ her way into the Hôtel Lambert, and is, therefore, in duty bound to recite marvels of the princess. But _à propos_ of Madame de Lormoy, what has become of her nephew, _le beau des beaux_, Leon de Morville? What happy woman now adores his archangelic face, since he has been obliged to break off with Lady Melford?" "He remains faithful to the remembrance of his lovely _islander_," replied M. de Fierval. "To the great displeasure of many ladies of fashion," added the domino; "amongst others of the little Marquise de Luceval, who affects originality, as if she were not sufficiently pretty to be natural. Being unable to carry, off Leon de Morville from his lady-love, whilst this affair was in existence, she now lives in hopes of the reversion." "An attachment of five years is very rare." "It is still more rare to find any one faithful to a recollection, I really cannot understand it," said M. de Brévannes. "Especially when the constant swain is as much sought after as Morville is." "As for me, I never could bear M. de Morville," said M. de Brévannes; "I have always endeavoured to avoid him." "I assure you, my dear sir," said M. de Fierval, "that he is one of the best fellows in the world." "That may be, but he seems so conceited of his pretty face." "Fortunately this Adonis is as stupid as he is handsome!" said the domino.