After discussing the
charades till my ears were weary of empty and aimless chatter, I was
very glad to find my group of young men gradually dispersing, and
myself at liberty to look about me, undisturbed. George soon came to
me, gave me his arm, and took me to a room where were several
ladies, friends of his father, and who had known me very well as a
child.
"'You remember Fanny,' he said to them; and then left me, and
devoted himself to the courteous duties of the hour. While I was
indulging in a quiet chat with a very kind old friend, she proposed
to go with me to look at the dancers, as the music was remarkably
fine, and it was thought the collected beauty and fashion of the
evening would make a very brilliant show. We left our seats,
accordingly, but were soon engaged in the crowd, and while waiting
for an opportunity to move on, I heard one of my young men ask
another,
"'How do you like _la cousine_?'
"I lost a part of the answer, but heard the closing words
distinctly--'_et un peu passee._' '_Oui, decidement!_' was the
prompt response, and a light laugh followed, while, shrinking close
to my kind friend, I rejoiced that my short stature concealed me
from observation. I was not very well taught, but, like most
school-girls, I had a smattering of French, and I knew the meaning
of the very ordinary phrases that had been used with regard to me.
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