This custom was preserved in many families in France up to the Revolution of 1789; some still practise it, but more in the provinces than in Paris, and not without some hesitation and some preliminary words upon the weather, accompanied by a deprecatory smile when a stranger is present--for it is too true that virtue also has its blush.
The Marechale possessed an imposing figure, and her large blue eyes were remarkably beautiful.

She did not appear to have yet attained her forty-fifth year; but, oppressed with sorrow, she walked slowly and spoke with difficulty, closing her eyes, and allowing her head to droop for a moment upon her breast, after she had been obliged to raise her voice.

At such efforts her hand pressed to her bosom showed that she experienced sharp pain.

She saw therefore with satisfaction that the person who was seated at her left, having at the beginning engrossed the conversation, without having been requested by any one to talk, persisted with an imperturbable coolness in engrossing it to the end of the dinner.

This was the old Marechal de Bassompierre; he had preserved with his white locks an air of youth and vivacity curious to see.