Such was one of many pleasantries by which we were diverted and amused. Idle fancies these indeed, and such as sterner judgments may deem trifling or absurd, yet not uninteresting, since many of them evidently afford vestiges of classic times and manners, transmitted through the course of ages; nor unuseful, since they tend to smooth and adorn the rugged way of life, and to strew its flinty path with flowers. With the charms and accomplishments which I have described, (and the sketch can convey but a faint idea of those which she actually possessed,) it cannot be supposed that Rosalie was destitute of admirers. She had, indeed, had several, but their suits were all unsuccessful. She had been addressed in turn by the _medecin_ of the place--by the son of the President of the Tribunal du Commerce--and by a nephew to a Monsieur de V----, the seigneur who resided at a neighbouring chateau. But they were all, more or less, improper characters; the _medecin_ was a gamester; the president's son a drunkard, a character utterly despised in these parts; while the nephew to the seigneur, was actually a _mauvais sujet_! What the French precisely understand by a _mauvais sujet_, I never could exactly make out; for, when impelled by curiosity to inquire, my queries were always met by such a volley of vituperation, as left one altogether in the dark with regard to the real nature of the charge. On the whole, I presume, we are to consider a _mauvais sujet_ as a culprit, compared with whose transgressions, the several enormities of gaming, drinking, and the like, sink into mere peccadilloes. The parents of Rosalie (the parents settle all these matters in France), on learning the character of their intended sons-in-law, dismissed them one after the other; and Rosalie acquiesced in their determination with a readiness and a decision, which did equal honour to her affection and her judgment. So interesting a girl, however, was not likely to remain long without a suitable admirer, and she speedily had another _affaire du coeur_. A young and handsome _militaire_, a sous-lieutenant in the royal guard, aspired to gain her hand, and to replace the vacancy in her affections.