asure here? See! look at Madame
Firmiani."

The brightest memories of the old man faded at the sight of his nephew's
so-called mistress. His anger died away at the gracious exclamation
which came from his lips as he looked at her. By one of those fortunate
accidents which happen only to pretty women, it was a moment when all
her beauties shone with peculiar lustre, due perhaps to the wax-lights,
to the charming simplicity of her dress, to the ineffable atmosphere
of elegance that surrounded her. One must needs have studied the
transitions of an evening in a Parisian salon to appreciate the
imperceptible lights and shades which color a woman's face and vary it.
There comes a moment when, content with her toilet, pleased with her own
wit, delighted to be admired, and feeling herself the queen of a salon
full of remarkable men who smile to her, the Parisian woman reaches a
full consciousness of her grace and charm; her beauty is enhanced by
the looks she gathers in,--a mute homage which she transfers with subtle
glances to the man she loves. At moments like these a woman is invested
with supernatural power and becomes a magician, a charmer, without
herself knowing that she is one; involuntarily she inspires the love
that fills her own bosom; her smiles and glances fascinate. If this
condition, which comes from the soul, can give attraction even to a
plain woman, with what radiance does it not invest a woman of natural
elegance, distinguished bearing, fair, fresh, with sparkling eyes, and
dressed in a taste that wrings approval from artists and her bitterest
rivals.

Have you ever, for your happiness, met a woman whose harmonious voice
gives to her speech the same charm that emanates from her manners? a
woman who knows how to speak and to be silent, whose words are happily
chosen, whose language is pure, and who concerns herself in your
interests with delicacy? Her raillery is caressing, her criticism never
wounds; she neither discourses nor argues, but she likes to lead a
discussion and stop it at the right moment. Her manner is affable and
smiling, her politeness never forced, her readiness to serve others
never servile; she reduces the respect she claims to a soft shadow;
she never wearies you, and you leave her satisfied with her and with
yourself. Her charming grace is conveyed to all the things with which
she surrounds herself. Everything about her pleases the eye; in her
presence you breathe, as it were, your nativ