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Rh Medicis, could she step from her pedestal into dazzling life. And what is worse, half his fellow-men would say, 'well it was a compliment.'" "I merely made an individual application of a general rule. All women love flattery—ergo, Miss Arundel liked it." "Now, mercy, Heaven, upon our ill-used race!" replied Lady Mandeville; "the force of flattery is, I am convinced, very much overrated. People would far sooner suppose you silly than themselves, and take for granted the compliment they have paid must be received. For my part, how much of my vanity has been mere endurance! I confess myself much of the Macedonian's opinion,—'I would wish for the prize in the chariot race, if kings were my competitors.' You all know the anecdote of the dustman who requested permission to light his pipe at the Duchess of Devonshire's eyes. Now, I should have been more displeased with the dustman's venturing to know whether I had eyes or not, than pleased with the compliment." "Miss Arundel, I beg your pardon," said Lord Mandeville, laughing; "I will never ask