"For my own part," said the prince de Soubise, "I shall not think
of separating from so agreeable a party till daylight warns
me hence."
"The first beams of morn will soon shine through these windows,"
replied M. d'Aiguillon.
"We can already perceive the brightest rays of Aurora reflected
in the sparkling eyes around us," exclaimed M. de Cosse.
"A truce with your gallantry, gentlemen," replied madame de
Mirepoix, "at my age I can only believe myself capable of reflecting
the last rays of the setting sun."
"Hush!" interrupted madame de Forcalquier, "you forget we are
at Versailles, where age is never thought of, but where, like our
gracious sovereign, all are young."
"Come, ladies," said madame de Flaracourt, "let us retire; I for
one, plead guilty of being in need of repose."
"No, no!" replied the duc de Richelieu, "let us employ the
remaining hours in pleasing and social converse," and with a
tremulous voice he began that charming trio in "Selina and Azor,"
"
." We joined chorus with him, and the
echoes of the palace of Louis XV resounded with the mirthful
strain. This burst of noisy mirth did not last long, and we
relapsed into increased taciturnity, spite of our endeavours to
keep up a general conversation. We were all fatigued, though
none but madame de Flaracourt would confess the fact.
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