Vice is our episode--your epic." "I suppose it is so," said the Frenchman, with affected seriousness.

"If we cheat at play, or flirt with a fair lady, we do it with decorum, and our neighbours think it no business of theirs.

But you treat every frailty you find in your countrymen as a public concern, to be discussed and talked over, and exclaimed against, and told to all the world." "I like the system of scandal," said Madame de Ventadour, abruptly; "say what you will, the policy of fear keeps many of us virtuous.

Sin might not be odious, if we did not tremble at the consequence even of appearances." "Hein, hein," grunted Monsieur de Ventadour, shuffling into the room.
"How are you ?--how are you?
Charmed to see you.

Dull night--I suspect we shall have rain.