ii 



THE SCARLET GERANIUM. 



as a sudorific, aromatic, astringent, and antiseptic. For these 

 and other supposed properties, it is not improperly the 

 emblem of that Esteem which it has acquired. 



THE SCARLET GERANIUM.— Folly. 



Madame DE Stael was always angry when any one tried 

 to introduce into her society a mindless man. One day, how- 

 ever, a friend of hers risked the introduction of a young Swiss 

 officer of very pleasing figure. The lady, misled by his 

 appearance, became animated, and uttered a thousand plea- 

 sant remarks to the new comer, who at first seemed dumb 

 with surprise and admiration. But, since he listened in silence 

 for an hour, she began to doubt the cause of his conduct, and 

 all at once addressed him with such direct questions, that it 

 was quite necessary that he should answer. Alas ! the unfor- 

 tunate fellow could reply with nothing but foolish nonsense. 

 M. de Stael then turned away, vexed at her loss of pains 

 and mental effort, and, addressing herself to her friend, said, 

 ** Truly, sir, }ou are like my gardener, who thought to give 

 me a treat by bringing me this morning a pot of Geraniums ; 

 but I tell you that I sent the flower away, desiring him never 

 to let me see it again." ''Ah! why so .^ " asked the young 

 man in astonishment. " It is, sir, since you wish to know it, 

 because the Geranium is a flower well clad in scarlet : so long 

 as we look at it, it pleases the eye ; h\\\. when we press it 

 lightly, it emits a disagreeable odour." While saying this, 

 the lady rose and went out, leaving, as we may well imagine, 



1 80 



