THE SECRETS OF THE HEART.

"Le cœur mène où il va."

SCENE. A Chalet covered with Honeysuckle.

NINON.

NINETTE.

THIS way

NINETTE.

NINON.
No, this way-

NINETTE.

This way, then.

(They enter the Chalet.)

You are as changing, Child,— -as Men.

NINON.

But are they? Is it true, I mean?
Who said it?

NINETTE.

Sister SERAPHINE.

She was so pious and so good,

With such sad eyes beneath her hood,
And such poor little feet,-all bare!
Her name was EUGENIE LA FÈRE.
She used to tell us,-moonlight nights,—
When I was at the Carmelites.

NINON.

Ah, then it must be right. And yet,
Suppose for once-suppose, NINETTE-

But what?

NINETTE.

NINON.

Suppose it were not so? Suppose there were true men, you know!

NINETTE.

And then?

NINON.

Why, if that could occur,

What kind of man should you prefer?

NINETTE.

What looks, you mean?

NINON.

Looks, voice and all.

NINETTE.

Well, as to that, he must be tall,
Or say, not" tall," of middle size;
And next, he must have laughing eyes,
And a hook-nose,-with, underneath,
O! what a row of sparkling teeth !—

NINON (touching her cheek suspiciously.) Has he a scar on this side?

NINETTE.

Hush!

Someone is coming. No; a thrush:
I see it swinging there.

NINON.

Go on.

NINETTE.

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.

NINON.

And I know yours. But you'll not tell,—
Swear it!

I know your man.

NINETTE.

I swear upon this fan,-

My Grandmother's!

I feel so sad.

NINON.

And I, I swear

On this old turquoise reliquaire,— My great,-great Grandmother's ! !— (After a pause.)

NINETTE!

NINETTE.

I too.

NINON.

Alas, I know not !

But why?

NINETTE (with a sigh).

Nor do I.