ut in speaking it became
singularly sweet, with a smile of the exquisite urbanity which no
artificial politeness can bestow; it must emanate from that native high
breeding which has its source in goodness of heart.

Enguerrand was fair, with curly locks of a golden chestnut. He wore no
beard, only a small mustache rather darker than his hair. His complexion
might in itself be called effeminate, its bloom was so fresh and
delicate; but there was so much of boldness and energy in the play of
his countenance, the hardy outline of the lips, and the open breadth of
the forehead, that "effeminate" was an epithet no one ever assigned to
his aspect. He was somewhat under the middle height, but beautifully
proportioned, carried himself well, and somehow or other did not look
short even by the side of tall men. Altogether he seemed formed to be
a mother's darling, and spoiled by women, yet to hold his own among men
with a strength of will more evident in his look and his bearing than it
was in those of his graver and statelier brother.

Both were considered by their young co-equals models in dress, but
in Raoul there was no sign that care or thought upon dress had been
bestowed; the simplicity of his costume was absolute and severe. On
his plain shirt-front there gleamed not a stud, on his fingers there
sparkled not a ring. Enguerrand, on the contrary, was not without
pretension in his attire; the broderie in his shirt-front seemed woven
by the Queen of the Fairies. His rings of turquoise and opal, his studs
and wrist-buttons of pearl and brilliants, must have cost double the
rental of Rochebriant, but probably they cost him nothing. He was one of
those happy Lotharios to whom Calistas make constant presents. All
about him was so bright that the atmosphere around seemed gayer for his
presence.

In one respect at least the brothers closely resembled each other,--in
that exquisite graciousness of manner for which the genuine French noble
is traditionally renowned; a graciousness that did not desert them even
when they came reluctantly into contact with roturiers or republicans;
but the graciousness became egalite, fraternite, towards one of their
caste and kindred.

"We must do our best to make Paris pleasant to you," said Raoul, still
retaining in his grasp the hand he had taken.

"Vilain cousin," said the livelier Enguerrand, "to have been in Paris
twenty-four hours, and without letting us know."

"Has not your father told