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JU

. They know better how to live in Paris, in those large hotels you must remember with such pleasure! That Hotel of Mouchy, Madam; that Hotel of Lyons, that Hotel of Holland, what charming places to live in![3]

FOOTNOTE
[3] Instead of naming the hotels (= mansions) of
the great noblemen, Julia names the hotels (= inns)
of the time. She thus shows where the countess
had studied the aristocracy.

COUN

. It is true that those places are very different from what we have here. You see there people of quality who do not hesitate to show you all the respect and consideration which you look for. One is not under the obligation of rising from one’s seat, and if one wants to see a review or the great ballet of Psyche, your wishes are at once attended to.

JU

. I should think, Madam, that during your stay in Paris you made many a conquest among the people of quality.

COUN

. You can readily believe, Madam, that of all the famous court gallants not one failed to come to my door and pay his respects to me. I keep in my casket some of the letters sent me, and can prove by them what offers I have refused. There is no need for me to tell you their names; you know what is meant by court gallants.

JU

. I wonder, Madam, how, after all those great names, which I can easily guess, you can descend to Mr. Thibaudier, a councillor, and Mr. Harpin, a collector of taxes? The fall is great, I must say. For your viscount, although nothing but a country viscount, is still a viscount, and can take a journey to Paris if he has not been there already. But a councillor and a tax-gatherer are but poor lovers for a great countess like you.

COUN

. They are men whom one treats kindly in the country, in order to make use of when the need arises. They serve to fill up the gaps of gallantry, and to swell the ranks of one’s lovers. It is a good thing not to leave a lover the sole master of one’s heart, lest, for want of rivals, his love go to sleep through over-confidence.

JU

. I confess, Madam, that no one can help profiting wonderfully by all you say. Your conversation is a school, to which I do not fail to come every day in order to learn something new.

SCENE XII

.–THE COUNTESS, JULIA, ANDREE, CRIQUET.

CRI

. (to the COUNTESS). Here is Jeannot, Mr. Thibaudier’s man, who wants to see you, Ma’am.

COUN

. Ah! you little wretch, this is another of your stupidities. A well-bred lackey would have spoken in a whisper to the gentlewoman in attendance; the latter would have come to her mistress and have whispered in her ear: “Here is the footman of Mr. So-and-so, who wants to speak to you, Madam.” To which the mistress would have answered, “Show him in.”

SCENE XIII

.–THE COUNTESS, JULIA, ANDREE, CRIQUET, JEANNOT.

CRI

. Come along in, Jeannot.

COUN

. Another blunder. (To JEANNOT) What do you want, page? What have you there?

JEAN

. It is Mr. Thibaudier, Ma’am, who wishes you good morning, and, before he comes, sends you some pears out of his garden, with this small note.

SCENE XIV

.–THE COUNTESS, CRIQUET, JEANNOT.

COUN

. (giving some money to JEANNOT). Here, my boy; here is something for your trouble.

JEAN

. Oh no, thank you, Ma’am.