"How do you know this lady? Tell us that."

"I will tell you, gentlemen, and I swear to you that so sure as I
want to be an honorable wife, I will tell you the whole truth. I was
walking one day in the Palais Royal, when a tall, slim, gentlemanly
man, who had passed me several times, came up to me, said some soft
things, and asked permission to visit me. I answered him, smiling,
that he could visit me at once if he would take me into one of the
eating-houses and dine with me. He accepted my proposition, and we
dined together, and were merry and jolly enough for a new
acquaintance. When we parted we promised to meet there again on the
morrow, and so we did. After the second dinner, the amiable
gentleman conducted me home, and there told me that he was very
distinguished and influential, that he had friends at court, and was
very well acquainted with the king and queen. He told me that he
would procure for me powerful patrons, and told me that a very
distinguished lady, who had interested herself in my behalf through
his description, would visit me and make my acquaintance. On the
next day he really came in company with a lady, who greeted me very
friendly, and was astonished at her first glimpse of me."

"Who was that lady?" asked the president.

Mademoiselle pointed with her thumb over her shoulder. "The lady
yonder," said she.

"Are you sure of it?"

"As of my own life, Mr. President."