290 FRENCH AUTHORESSES 



" He was a handsome youth, whose fine clear skin might have well 

 become a woman. His delicate figure was supple and graceful. He 

 managed his horse with dexterity and boldnees, clearing trenches 

 and dashing through thickets. To see him so full of life and beauty, 

 one might say, ' surely he does not believe in death/ 



" His figure was not quite new to Horace. He bore a strong re- 

 semblance to Rose ; but his petulant vivacity was so much at variance 

 with the calm expression of her features that the resemblance was 

 almost evanescent. This wild youth, who, Avith the voice of a child, 

 and the features of a woman, spoke of his mistresses, his debts, and 

 hi& duels, had need of an immense expenditure of wit to cover the ri- 

 dicule of his precocious follies. But then, his absurdity was joined 

 to so much wit and gaiety ! He was so natural and so sprightly, that 

 it was impossible not to love him while reproving him. 



" You promised me a philosopher/ said Tony, looking round for 

 Horace, who had dismounted to adjust a girth ; then, having observed 

 him, he blushed and appeared embarrassed ; but Horace held out his 

 hand to him, and the acquaintance was made. He jumped from his 

 saddle, passed his fingers through the thick curls of his black hair, 

 wiped his forehead, and cheeks, glowing with exercise and pleasure, 

 uttered a quantity of absurdity, and abused La Caronori at a fine 

 rate, laughed at Horace for wishing to become acquainted with her, 

 and declared her to be a very cunning and tiresome prude. 



" Luckily," said he, " my brother is still more tiresome, but for 

 that I might be condemned to call her sister-in-law, for he courts 

 her in rhyme ; but that is precisely what saves me." The lawyer 

 seemed hurt at these jokes; all the others received them with bursts 

 of laughter. All declared that they were in love with La Coronari, 

 and engaged Tony to help them to supplant his brother. 



'' Oh, as for you," said he, to one of them, " you will never suc- 

 ceed. You enter her boudoir like a conqueror, without seeming to 

 know the spirit of contradiction is stronger in women than love or 

 ambition. You awkward fellow ; you should never say to a woman, 

 you shall love me ; you should always say, you don't love me." 



" What a beardless Don Juan," said another, " well Tomy, I am 

 not better treated, and I am passionate, and humble to excess." 



" Oh ! that's because you pay your addresses to an actress, as if 

 she were an heiress. Poor Coronari ! this incense must turn your 

 head ; if she was not the fashionable singer, you would take no more 

 notice of her than of those pretty girls whom you leave to clerks." 



They proceeded towards the town, Horace had dropped behind his 

 companions when he was joined by Tony. 



" How now, pensive ?" said he, " I thought it was only Tony who 

 was sad with smiles on his lips, and fools at his side/' 

 " You are a singular young man," said Horace. 

 " Don't talk of me/' said Tony " I am too joung to have a sting, 

 I am weary of existence, that's all. I find it move so slowly." 



"Indeed! I had thought you would have found it move too 

 quickly." 



"Well, I will confess I have made acquaintance with care: at 

 my age, the feelings are quick, and if the evils are less, the heart is 

 more susceptible." 



