I stood still as if enchanted, and, as I thought another kiss was coming, whack went a stout box on my ear.

'There is a punishment for you,' said she, 'that you may know enough to return a kiss when a handsome lady gives you when the king did not wish them with him; in summer, in an open wagon, the dogs upon the back-seat, and the footmen upon the forward seat, and whenever they reproved them, to bring them to order, they addressed them in the polite manner of one, and not stand like a libber,' and with that she boxed me again.

The other two ladies laughed, which made me angry, and my ears were very warm.

'If that happens again,' said I, 'by thunder, she will find I do not wait to be punished!' I laid down the arms, and at once sprang after the lady, when--the folding-doors were thrown open, and two gentlemen, in splendid gold-embroidered dresses, entered.

As they saw the little lady, they stood astonished, and made the three prescribed bows.