“ ‘I fancy you joke. Look at me then, Marsupha. I have neither paint nor patches. My nightcap does not become me. I make a frightful figure.’

“ ‘You are mistaken, madam: that undress sets you off surprisingly. It gives you so winning and kind an air!’

“To these gallantries Marsupha added others. I insensibly joined in the conversation; and when Marsupha had finished with me, he resumed with my mistress. ‘Seriously, Amisadar has attempted your conversion; he has an admirable hand at conversions. Could you give me a sample of his morals? I would lay a wager they are much the same with mine.’

“ ‘We have thoroughly handled some points of gallantry. We have analysed the difference between an affectionate woman and a woman of gallantry. He is for the affectionate women.’

“ ‘And you too without doubt?’