 that heart
she had broken - whether he kept them in a scent-vial, and conserved them in
otto of roses? I observed, too, with a deep rapture of approbation, that the
colonel's hands were scarce larger than Miss Fanshawe's own, and suggested that
this circumstance might be convenient, as he could wear her gloves at a pinch.
On his dear curls, I told her I doated; and as to his low, Grecian brow, and
exquisite classic head-piece, I confessed I had no language to do such
perfections justice.
    »And if he were your lover?« suggested the cruelly exultant Ginevra.
    »Oh! heavens, what bliss!« said I; »but do not be inhuman, Miss Fanshawe: to
put such thoughts into my head is like showing poor outcast Cain a far glimpse
of Paradise.«
    »You like him then?«
    »As I like sweets, and jams, and comfits, and conservatory flowers.«
    Ginevra admired my taste, for all these things were her adoration; she could
then readily credit that they were mine too.
    »Now for Isidore,« I went on. I own I felt still more curious to see him
than his rival; but Ginevra was absorbed in the latter.
    »Alfred was admitted here to-night,« said she, »through the influence of his
aunt, Madame la Baronne de Dorlodot; and now, having seen him, can you not
understand why I have been in such spirits all the evening, and acted so well
and danced with such life, and why I am now happy as a queen? Dieu! Dieu! It was
such good fun to glance first at him and then at the other, and madden them
both.«
    »But that other - where is he? Show me Isidore.«
    »I don't like.«
    »Why not?«
    »I am ashamed of him.«
    »For what reason?«
    »Because - because« (in a whisper) »he has such - such whiskers, orange -
red - there now!«
    »The murder is out,« I subjoined. »Never mind, show him, all the same; I
engage not to faint.«
    She looked round. Just then an English voice spoke behind her and me.
    »You are both standing in a draught; you must leave this corridor.«
    »There is no draught, Dr. John,« said I turning.
    »She takes cold so easily,« he pursued, looking at Ginevra with extreme
kindness
