y furtively look down,
I smiled and said, "You're looking at my foot."
And so he was. In spite of all misfortunes,
Indeed the man was looking at my foot.
Was this coquettish? Well, what of it? Heavens!
Where was the crime if I remained a woman?
For, after all, amid the crash of France,
The beauty of my foot had _some_ importance!

THE DUKE.

Would I could fly! but I am glued to the spot!

BOMBELLES.

What's the grey pebble in your bracelet?

MARIA LOUISA.

That?
Ah, I can never see it without tears.
That is a fragment--

BOMBELLES.

Of the Pyramids?

MARIA LOUISA.

What nonsense! 'Tis a fragment of the tomb
Where Juliet sleeps beside her Romeo--
I had this souvenir--

BOMBELLES.

For pity's sake
Don't mention Neipperg!

MARIA LOUISA.

If he irritates you,
Why speak about the first?

BOMBELLES.

That's different,
But did you love him?

MARIA LOUISA.

Whom?

BOMBELLES.

The--first.

MARIA LOUISA.

Again?

BOMBELLES.

So great a man! You must--

MARIA LOUISA.

Oh, as for that,
No man is ever loved because he's great.
Let's talk of him no more: let's talk of us.
Will you like Parma?

BOMBELLES.

Tell me, was he jealous?

MARIA LOUISA.

So much so that he drove away Leroy,
Because the poor man-milliner cried out
With admiration when he saw my shoulders,
While trying on a peplum.

BOMBELLES.

Then Napoleon--

MARIA LOUISA.

Oh, hush!

BOMBELLES.

Would not have liked to hear me say
How fair they are? Would not have liked--

MARIA LOUISA.

Bombelles!

BOMBELLES.

To hear me whisper to your Majesty--

THE DUKE.

Father, forgive me for the things I hear!

BOMBELLES.

That you are like our own Arlesian maids
But, ah! how much more beautiful!--

MARIA LOUISA.

Oh, Charles!

BOMBELLES.

Would not have liked to see me bend and press---

THE DUKE.

[_Breaking in upon them._]

Not that! I will not have it! I forbid you!--
Thank God, I'm saved!

MARIA LOUISA.

Franz!

THE DUKE.

For this cry,