Vesian, I told the coachman to drive us to the Gros Caillou, where we made an excellent impromptu dinner, the cheerfulness of the guests making up for the deficiencies of the servants.
Vesian, feeling his head rather heavy, went out for a walk after dinner, and I remained alone with his sister and my friend Baletti.

I observed with pleasure that Baletti thought her an agreeable girl, and it gave me the idea of asking him to teach her dancing.

I informed him of her position, of the reason which had brought her to Paris, of the little hope there was of her obtaining a pension from the king, and of the necessity there was for her to do something to earn a living.

Baletti answered that he would be happy to do anything, and when he had examined the figure and the general conformation of the young girl he said to her, "I will get Lani to take you for the ballet at the opera." "Then," I said, "you must begin your lessons tomorrow.Mdlle.

Vesian stops at my hotel." The young girl, full of wonder at my plan, began to laugh heartily, and said, "But can an opera dancer be extemporized like a minister of state?
I can dance the minuet, and my ear is good enough to enable me to go through a quadrille; but with the exception of that I cannot dance one step." "Most of the ballet girls," said Baletti, "know no more than you do." "And how much must I ask from M.Lani?
I do not think I can expect much." "Nothing.