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have always some reigning mania," said the Chevalier de Joinville, when, in common with others of the court, he came in to Madame de Mercœur's, on his way to a fête given by Madame de Soissons, whose hôtel was more than ever the rallying point of the court. "Every body now is making what they call portraits of themselves and of their friends. Pastoral phrases are called into requisition; and under some name just stepped out of an eclogue, our dames and cavaliers flatter themselves and their friends, and are tant soit peu maligne."

"I heard one or two of those candid confessions read the other evening," replied Francesca; "and I could not but smile at the modest avowal of one lady, that she had the very whitest teeth in