ARTICLES MANUFACTURED FROM RAT-SKINS. 123 
dear Emily, you are quite the belle and idolized deity of the 
room. You are turning them all heathens and idolaters ; for 
the whole adoration of both sexes is centred upon you. 
JSTow, dear, for Heaven's sake, do undeceive them, or you will 
be answerable for their eternal loss ! " Emily inquired in 
what she was to undeceive them ? " Why," Lady Eattle 
replied, " to tell you the truth, love, I am deputed by some of 
them to ascertain whether you have on gloves of a super- 
natural quality, or whether it is the exquisite delicacy of your 
skin which so dazzles and bewilders the whole company ; for 
nothing is either seen or spoken of but your hands, dear." 
Emily sedately informed her that she had on gloves VA^hich 
were a present from Sir Charles, and that she believed they 
were a new kind of French kid. " Dear, dear," said Lady 
E-attle, what a little delicate creature it must have been ! 
No doubt it drank nothing but new-milk, and was fed upon 
cream and almonds. How delicious it must have eaten ! 
Oh, how she should like to have lunched off it ! Its flesh 
must have been as white as a curd. Do you know, love, 
Tm going to give a superlative treat, and I must insist upon 
your coming to it. I intend giving a real French kid dinner 
to all my friends and acquaintances ; there'll be a sensation for 
you ; 'twill be the leading topic of the day ; and I shall 
employ M. Soyer to serve them up. Sir John is going 
to Paris next week ; and to prevent imposition, dear 
(for there are no real French kids in England), he shall 
bring over a number with him ; and, oh, we will have such 
a treat, love ! For, do you know, dear, that French kid- 
soup, or stewed French kids, impart such a transparent 
delicacy to the complexion, that nothing on earth can equal 
it ! Oh, heavens ! we shall have all the gentlemen dying in 
love for us. There'll be a conquest ! Well now, dear, I 
must pray you to let me go, for poor Sir John is languishing 
for me." They then parted. 
