Page:William Jerdan.pdf/30

Rh The sprightliness of the following needs no comment:—

"35, Rue-le-Grand, Lundi, "which being done into English means Monday. ",

"I hope you will not think that I intend writing you to death; but I cannot let this opportunity pass. Miss Montgomery leaves Paris to-morrow, and so write I must. I am quite surprised that I should have so little to tell you; but really I have nothing, as ill-luck would have it. I went to call on Madame Tastu, from whom I received a charming note, and while I was out Monsieur Sainte Beuve and Monsieur Odillon Barrot called; however, the latter wrote to me offering his services as cicerone, &c, and I expect him this morning. M. Heine called yesterday; a most pleasant person. I am afraid he did not think me a personne bien spirituelle, for you know it takes a long time with me to get over the shame of speaking to a stranger by way of conversation. He said, 'Mademoiselle donc a beaucoup couru les boutiques?' 'Mais non.' 'A-t-elle été au Jardin des Plantes?' 'Mais non.' 'Avez vous été à l'opéra, aux théâtres? ' 'Mais non.' 'Peut-être Mademoiselle aime la promenade?' 'Mais non.' 'A-t-elle donc apporté beaucoup de livres, ou peut-être elle écrit?' 'Mais non.' At last, in seeming despair, he exclaimed, 'Mais Mademoiselle, qu'est que ce donc, qu'elle a fait?' 'Mais—mais—j'ai regardé par la fenêtre.' Was there ever anything si bête? but I really could think of nothing else. I am enchanted with Madame Tastu; her manners are so kind, so encouraging. I did not feel much embarrassed after the first. She has fine features, though there was something about her face that put me in mind of Miss Roberts; but with a softened expression. If I had known as much of Paris as I do even