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172
IN A WINTER CITY.

the market-place, and he was calling him 'carissimo mio.'"

"One of his own peasants, most likely," said the Lady Hilda, coldly. "I have never heard these Postiches even mentioned by M. Della Rocca, and I certainly have nothing whatever to do with where he goes or doesn't go."

"He is always with you, at any rate," said Madame Mila; "and if you would make him go, it would only be kind of you. You see we want everybody we know, so that we may be sure to make the square dances only of our own people, and not to see anything of anybody the Postiches may have asked themselves. Little Dickie Dorrian, who's managing it all, said to the woman Postiche, 'I'll bring the English division if you'll spend enough on the cotillon toys; but I won't undertake the Italians.' Now if Della Rocca———"

"Would you want a new dress, Mila?" said the Lady Hilda; "I am sure you must if you're going to a woman you can't know the next day."

"I should like one, of course," said the Comtesse, "but I've had thirty new ones this season