ionable topics and gossip of the day; but it was observable
that while he extracted from her the current anecdote and scandal of the
great world, neither anecdote nor scandal did he communicate in return.
Randal Leslie had already learned the art not to commit himself, nor to
have quoted against him one ill-natured remark upon the eminent. Nothing
more injures the man who would rise beyond the fame of the salons
than to be considered backbiter and gossip; "yet it is always useful,"
thought Randal Leslie, "to know the foibles, the small social and
private springs, by which the great are moved. Critical occasions
may arise in which such a knowledge may be power." And hence, perhaps
(besides a more private motive, soon to be perceived), Randal did
not consider his time thrown away in cultivating Madame di Negra's
friendship. For, despite much that was whispered against her, she had
succeeded in dispelling the coldness with which she had at first been
received in the London circles. Her beauty, her grace, and her high
birth had raised her into fashion, and the homage of men of the first
station, while it perhaps injured her reputation as woman, added to her
celebrity as fine lady. So much do we cold English, prudes though we be,
forgive to the foreigner what we avenge on the native.

Sliding at last from these general topics into very well-bred and
elegant personal compliment, and reciting various eulogies, which Lord
this and the Duke of that had passed on the marchesa's charms, Randal
laid his hand on hers, with the license of admitted friendship, and
said,

"But since you have deigned to confide in me, since when (happily for
me, and with a generosity of which no coquette could have been capable)
you, in good time, repressed into friendship feelings that might else
have ripened into those you are formed to inspire and disdain to return,
you told me with your charming smile, 'Let no one speak to me of love
who does not offer me his hand, and with it the means to supply tastes
that I fear are terribly extravagant,'--since thus you allowed me to
divine your natural objects, and upon that understanding our intimacy
has been founded, you will pardon me for saying that the admiration you
excite amongst these grands seigneurs I have named only serves to defeat
your own purpose, and scare away admirers less brilliant, but more in
earnest. Most of these gentlemen are unfortunately married; and they
who are not belong to those me