And a hook-nose, with, underneath,

O! what a row of sparkling teeth !—

Then he must fence, (ah, look, 'tis gone!)

And dance like Monseigneur, and sing

"Love was a Shepherd " :-everything

That men do. Tell me yours, NINON.

NINON.

Shall I? Then mine has black, black hair,—

I mean he should have; then an air

Half-sad, half-noble; features thin;

A little royale on the chin;

And such a pale, high brow. And then,

He is a prince of gentlemen ;

He, too, can ride and fence, and write

Sonnets and madrigals, yet fight

No worse for that—

NINETTE.

I know your man.

NINON.

And I know yours. But you'll not tell,

Swear it !

NINETTE.

I swear upon this fan,—

My Grandmother's!

"GOOD NIGHT, BABETTE!"

'Si vieillesse pouvait !—'

SCENE. A small neat Room. In a high Voltaire Chair sits a white-haired old Gentleman.

MONSIEUR VIEUXBOIS. BABETTE.

M. VIEUXBOIS (turning querulously.)

Day of my life! Where can she get?

BABETTE! I say! BABETTE!-Babette !!

BABETTE (entering hurriedly.)

Coming, M'sieu'! If M'sieu' speaks

So loud, he wont be well for weeks!

M. VIEUXBOIS.

Where have you been?

BABETTE.

Why M'sieu' knows :

April !... Ville-d'Avray !... Ma'amselle Rose !

M. VIEUXBOIS.

Ah! I am old, and I forget.

Was the place growing green, Babette?

BABETTE.

But of a greenness !—yes, M'sieu' !

And then the sky so blue !—so blue!

You're a good girl, BABETTE, but she,—