The Parisians, Book 1.

ainly it was a face that might well arrest

mind, or of soul, or of heart, without which the most beautiful face is but a beautiful picture. This lady was not one of those "beauty-women." Her features taken singly were by no means perfect, nor were they set off by any brilliancy of colouring. But the countenance aroused and

as the two men slowly passed her. She seemed abstracted, gazing into space as one absorbed in

way soon," said the Parisian, "and we can observe her more attentively and more respectfully thus seated than

ss of the hair and the outline of the features; but d

s refinement of air in which a Parisienne excels all the descendants of Eve,-if it were not for her eyes. I never saw a Frenchwoman with eyes of that p

she is married

arcely walk alone in the Bois, and would not have acquired

ction; regard that expression of face,-so p

nd in full view of their gaze. She seemed unconscious of their existence as before, an

traight on till at the end of the alley she entere

ier, running towards his own

mercier had already given to his coachman, the Parisian's coupe set off a

nt suburb of A---; a porter emerged from the lodge, opened the gate; the carriage drove in, again stopped at the door of the house, and

r unknown, over a sorbet or a petit verre." Alain silently, but not reluctant

sy savoir vivre of a Parisian, had extracted from the garcon as much as p

, according to the report of the servants, that lady appeared to be the gouvernante or guardian

rarely stirred out during the day, but always accompanied the you

last few weeks that suc

ablishment consisted of three servants, all Italians, and speaking but imperfect French. The garcon did not know whether either of the ladies was married, but their mode of life was free from all scandal or suspicion; the

an singer of repute enough in her own country to have gained already a competence; and that, perhaps on account of her own health or

exclaimed Alain, in a tone

the Englishman may profit little by the

romised the

at he described the lady, and said

o you know of this Englishm

I have known him some time. Indeed he has intrusted to me a difficult and delicate commission. The English tell me that his father was one of the most eminent members of their Parliament, of ancient birth, very highly connected, but ran out his for

the carriage now entered Paris, he pleaded the excuse of an engagement, ba