Volume I Part 11 (1/2)
”And what about me, do you mean to seduce me too, Spaniard?” inquired the shepherdess, showing an a.s.sortment of teeth of different sizes; ”you'd find it hard work, for d'ye see, I've vowed an everlasting hatred to men!”
Chamoureau made a faint grimace at the shepherdess's language; but he a.s.sumed that she was the pink domino's maid, and he said to her:
”No, I have never cared for shepherdesses; they're too pastoral for me!
My homage is addressed solely to your companion--this fascinating domino.”
”But suppose I am ugly, my dear man? for you don't know me!”
”Ugly! you can't be that, with such a shapely head, such brilliant eyes!
I am sure that you are adorable.”
”You might well be cheated, my boy! there's nothing so deceptive as a mask!”
”For my part,” interposed the shepherdess, ”I don't try to cheat anyone.
You can see at once what I look like; then, if I make a conquest, people know what to expect anyway!”
”_Fichtre!_ yes,” said Chamoureau to himself, ”one can be certain that he hasn't to do with a bluestocking! This shepherdess would do well to leave the pretty domino for a while; but perhaps, when they know me better, they'll consent to separate.”
”Tell me, my handsome Spaniard, why do you wear a false nose and moustaches? Are you flat-nosed, that you disguise yourself so?”
”No, I can a.s.sure you that I am not flat-nosed.”
”Then does your real nose make you so very ugly?”
”I have never been told that I was ill-looking.”
”People may have thought so!”
”It is not probable!”
”What a conceited creature!--Well, take off your nose, if you want us to believe you.”
”Ah! my pretty domino, you ask me to do something of great importance to me. I have many reasons for not wanting to be recognized!”
”Bos.h.!.+ you say that to put on airs. Maybe you're some great personage?
Are you a State official?”
”No, not exactly; but I have a very good position in society, and I have to be careful.”[F]
”Do you move people?” said the shepherdess; ”so does my uncle!”
”No, no, I didn't say that. You misunderstood me, little shepherdess.”
”Take off your nose, or I shall think you haven't got one underneath.”
”Oh! what a shocking supposition! It may be that later, pretty domino, when we are tete-a-tete----”
”Nay, nay, Lisette! My dear man, when you make love to a woman, you must begin by showing her your nose. Isn't that so, Lade?”