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Rh trouble, for any body's applause is better than nobody's. Novelty has to me great attraction. A new acquaintance and a new silk alike rapidly lose their gloss. Unfortunately I am soon wearied; for most individuals, resembling short stories, are soon read to the end.

"I am more easily entertained than interested, and rather object to having my feelings much excited, emotion being bad both for constitution and complexion. I am heedless of getting into scrapes, but very ingenious at extricating myself. My genius is fertile in inventions, excuses, and remedies. I consider myself clever; have tact and shrewdness; and whatever wits I may possess, I have them always about me."

"Good," exclaimed Madame de Mercœur; "se non è vero, è ben trovato."

"After all," said the Chevalier, "these portraits—Madame de I'Hôpital's fortune-telling—the pleasure we take in a lover or a physician—may all be referred to the same cause,—we do so enjoy talking about ourselves; and yet we feel some sort of excuse necessary. It must be admitted, that we are ready in pretexts."

"Is this declaration," asked Francesca, "preparatory to sketching your own portrait?"

"Nay," said he, "I feel quite inadequate to