"MERCIE--that will do." 'At this instant, while the Lady Flabella yet inhaled that delicious fragrance by holding the MOUCHOIR to her exquisite, but thoughtfully-chiselled nose, the door of the BOUDOIR (artfully concealed by rich hangings of silken damask, the hue of Italy's firmament) was thrown open, and with noiseless tread two VALETS-DE-CHAMBRE, clad in sumptuous liveries of peach-blossom and gold, advanced into the room followed by a page in BAS DE SOIE--silk stockings--who, while they remained at some distance making the most graceful obeisances, advanced to the feet of his lovely mistress, and dropping on one knee presented, on a golden salver gorgeously chased, a scented BILLET.
'The Lady Flabella, with an agitation she could not repress, hastily tore off the ENVELOPE and broke the scented seal.

It WAS from Befillaire--the young, the slim, the low-voiced--HER OWN Befillaire.' 'Oh, charming!' interrupted Kate's patroness, who was sometimes taken literary.

'Poetic, really.

Read that description again, Miss Nickleby.' Kate complied.
'Sweet, indeed!' said Mrs Wititterly, with a sigh.

'So voluptuous, is it not--so soft ?' 'Yes, I think it is,' replied Kate, gently; 'very soft.' 'Close the book, Miss Nickleby,' said Mrs Wititterly.