MELNOTTE walk apart.

Mme. Deschap. Good morning, gentlemen; really I am so fatigued
with laughter; the dear Prince is so entertaining. What wit he has!
Any one may see that he has spent his whole life in courts.

Damas. And what the deuce do you know about courts,
cousin Deschappelles? You women regard men just as you buy books--
you never care about what is in them, but how they are bound
and lettered. 'Sdeath, I don't think you would even look at your
Bible if it had not a title to it.

Mme. Deschap. How coarse you are, cousin Damas!--quite the manners
of a barrack--you don't deserve to be one of our family;
really we must drop your acquaintance when Pauline marries.
I cannot patronize any relations that would discredit my future
son-in-law, the Prince of Como.

Mel. [advancing]. These are beautifui gardens, madame, (BEAUSEANT and
GLAVIS retire--who planned them

Mme. Deschap. A gardener named Melnotte, your highness--
an honest man who knew his station. I can't say as much for his son--
a presuming fellow, who,--ha! ha! actually wrote verses--such doggerel!--
to my daughter.

Pauline. Yes, how you would have laughed at them, Prince! you,
who write such beautiful verses!

Mel. This Melnotte must be a monstrous impudent person!