Part 3 (2/2)

NINON Ah, then it must be right. And yet, Suppose for once--suppose, Ninette--

NINETTE But what?

NINON Suppose it were not so?

Suppose there _were_ true men, you know!

NINETTE And then?

NINON Why, if that _could_ occur, What kind of men should you prefer?

NINETTE What looks, you mean?

NINON Looks, voice and all.

NINETTE Well, as to that, he must be tall, Or say, not ”tall”--of middle size; And next, he must have laughing eyes; And a hook-nose,--with, underneath, Oh! what a row of sparkling teeth!

NINON (_touching her cheek suspiciously_) Has he a scar on this side?

NINETTE Hus.h.!.+

Some one is coming. No; a thrush: I see it swinging there.

NINON Go on.

NINETTE Then he must fence (ah, look, 'tis gone!) And dance like Monseigneur, and sing ”Love was a Shepherd,”--everything That men do. Tell me yours, Ninon.

NINON Shall I? Then mine has black, black hair ...

I mean, he _should_ have; then an air Half sad, half n.o.ble; features thin; A little _royale_ on the chin; And such a pale, high brow. And then, He is a prince of gentlemen;-- He, too, can ride and fence and write Sonnets and madrigals, yet fight No worse for that--

NINETTE I know your man.

NINON And I know yours. But you'll not tell,-- Swear it!

NINETTE I swear upon this fan,-- My grandmother's!

NINON And I, I swear On this old turquoise _reliquaire_,-- My great-_great_-grandmother's!-- _(After a pause)_

Ninette!

I feel _so_ sad.

NINETTE I too. But why?

NINON Alas, I know not!

NINETTE (_with a sigh_) Nor do I.

BRITISH FESTIVITIES [Sidenote: _Mark Twain_]

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