place all my hopes. I think I may rely on you; but, above all, do
not forget that you are my sister-in-law."

"Brother-in-law," said I, laughing, "it is not unnecessary that
I should know decidedly to which of family I am married? The
custom in France is not that a woman be the undivided property
of three brothers."

"That only happens in Venice," replied the comte; "my brother
Elie is too young, you must be the wife of Guillaume, my second
brother."

"Very well; I am the comtesse Guillaume du Barry; that does
famously well; we like to know whom we are married to."

After this conversation, comte Jean insisted on presiding at my
toilette. He acquitted himself of the task, with a most laughable
attention. During two good hours, at least, he tormented first
Henriette, and then the female hairdresser, for I had not yet
followed the mode, which began to be very general, of having
my hair dressed by a man. Comte Jean passed alternately from
my dressing-room to the kitchen. He knew Lebel was a gallant
and a gourmand*, and he was anxious to please him in all senses
at once.

*He seems to mean "gourmet" rather than "gourmand."
---Gutenberg editor

At one o'clock I was under arms, and prepared to receive him on
whom my destiny depended. As soon as I reached the drawing-room,