Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/85

 their freedom, but 'tis an evil they know not how to remedy in a land of liberty.

"As for the ladies, my dear sister." "Aye, brother, now for it;—I hate your English belles, they are such monopolisers when they make their appearance at Paris." "And yet, Adelaide, I assure you, it is not often you see the most beautiful of them here; doubtless there are very many charming women among the first circles of fashion, who may dispute the palm of beauty with any court in the known world; but generally speaking, the middling ranks of people are by far the handsomest of both sexes, and I account for it in this manner. In fashionable circles, they keep very late hours, play deep, enter into every scheme for amusement and dissipation, without regard to their health or complexions; hence they injure one, and destroy the other: no artificial resources can give brilliancy to the eyes, or health and vivacity to the figure; acquired bloom can never deceive, and the natural beautiful complexions of the English ladies are so delicate and transparent, that art may disguise, but never can improve them. Their ill hours, and deforming their lovely faces by the anxiety of avarice, envy, and passion, when at their midnight orgies adoring and watching the effects of chance in their favour, destroys their beauty many years before age would have lessened their attractions; for I must confess, (added he, smiling at his sister) the English women, take them all in all, are more fascinating than any other nation I ever saw." "And yet (said she) you are returned heart-whole, brother?" "That is begging the question, my curious sister; but where there are so many charmers, men's eyes involuntarily wander, and must consider I it almost an insult upon the rest to select one, when there are such equal pretensions."

"The English ladies are much obliged to you, Count, (said the Marquis de Melfort) and we shall soon have an opportunity of judging if your picture is