world to be always talking of them sort of things, and nobody that's ever been abroad troubles their heads about them."
"Pray then," cried the Captain, "since you know so much of the matter, be so good as to tell us what they do trouble their heads about?—hay, Sir Clement! ha'n't we a right to know that much?"
"A very comprehensive question," said Sir Clement, "and I expect much instruction from the lady's answer."
"Come, Madam," continued the Captain, "never flinch; speak at once; don't stop for thinking."
"I assure you I am not going," answered she; "for as to what they do do, why they've enough to do, I promise you, what with one thing or another."
"But what, what do they do, these famous Monsieurs?" demanded the Captain; "can't you tell us? do they game?—or drink?—or fiddle?—or are they jockies?—or do they spend all their time in slummering old women?"
"As to that, Sir,—but indeed I shan't trouble myself to answer such a parcel of low questions, so don't ask me no more about it."
And then, to my great vexation, turning to Lord Orville, she said, "Pray, Sir, was you ever in Paris?"
He only bowed.
"And
