"Mademoiselle, I see, does not approve of such _bourgeois_ diversions,"
said he.

"No, monsieur," said the gentle Adele. "But I think we must sacrifice
our own tastes to those of the company."

"It is a very amiable sentiment," said the _epicier_.

"It is one attributed to grandmamma's papa, the Marquis de Courval. It
has become quite a hackneyed remark since," said Adele.

"Come, ladies," said the joyous Rosalie; "I volunteer my slipper."

"_Asseyez-vous donc_," said Madame Beavor to the Pole. Have you no games
of this sort in Poland?"

"Madame, _La Pologne_ is no more," said the Pole. "But with the swords
of her brave--"

"No swords here, if you please," said Mr. Love, putting his vast hands on
the Pole's shoulder, and sinking him forcibly down into the circle now
formed.

The game proceeded with great vigour and much laughter from Rosalie, Mr.
Love, and Madame Beavor, especially whenever the last thumped the Pole
with the heel of the slipper. Monsieur Giraud was always sure that
Madame Giraud had the slipper about her, which persuasion on his part
gave rise to many little endearments, which are always so innocent among
married people. The Vicomte and the _epicier_ were equally certain the
slipper was with Mademoiselle Adele, who defended herself with much more