One evening I called upon her with M.Manzoni, and she told him that a wonderful judge of beauty had found flaws in hers, but she took good care not to specify them.

It was not difficult to make out that she was indirectly firing at me, and I prepared myself for the ostracism which I was expecting, but which, however, she kept in abeyance fully for an hour.

At last, our conversation falling upon a concert given a few days before by Imer, the actor, and in which his daughter, Therese, had taken a brilliant part, Juliette turned round to me and inquired what M.de Malipiero did for Therese.

I said that he was educating her.

"He can well do it," she answered, "for he is a man of talent; but I should like to know what he can do with you ?" "Whatever he can." "I am told that he thinks you rather stupid." As a matter of course, she had the laugh on her side, and I, confused, uncomfortable and not knowing what to say, took leave after having cut a very sorry figure, and determined never again to darken her door.