Scène 1. — A raom in the houae of M* Deschappelles, ai Lyonê

Pauline redining on a sofa; Mabian, her maid, fanning her.

Flowers and notes 07i a table beside the sofa. Madame Deschap- . PELLES seaied at a table. The gardens are seen from the open Windows.

Mme. Deschap. Marian, pat that rose a little more to the left^ {Marias alters the position of a rose in Pauline's hair) — Ah, so! — that improves the hair, — the tournure j the je ne sais quoi ! You are certainly very handsome, child!— quite my style; — I don't wonder that you make such a sensation!— old, young, rich, and poor, do homagetothe beauty of Lyons! Ah, we livé agaîn in our children, — especially when they hâve our eyesand complexion!

Pauline (languidïy). Dearmother, you spoilyour Pauline! (oMde) I wish I knew who sent me thèse flowers!

Mme. Deschap. No, child! If I praise you, it is only to inspire you with a proper ambition. You are born to make a great marriage. Beauty is valuable or worthless according as you invest the property to the best advantage. Marian, go and order the carriage! (Exit Maeian.)

Pauline. Who can it be that sends me, every day, thèse beautifol llowers?— how sweet they are!

2S2 Î^ÊTITÊ GRÀMMAIÏtÊ P^A^Ç/lÎ^É.

Enter SERVANT.

Servant. Monsieur Beauseant, madam.

Mme. Deschap. Let him enter. Pauline, this is another oflfer! — I know it is! — ^Your father should engage an additional clerk to keep the account book of your conquests.

Enter Beauseant.

Beau. Ah, ladies, how fortunate I am to find you at home! (aside) How lovely she looks! — It is a great sacrifice I make in marrying into a family in trade! — they "will be eternally grateful! (aloud) Madam, you will permit me a word with your charming daughter. (approcuihes Pauline, who riaes diadainftUly) Mademoiselle, I hâve ventured to wait upon you, in a hope that you must long since hâve divined. Last night, when you outshone ail the beauty of Lyons, you completed your conquest over me ! You know that my fortune is not exceeded by any estate in the province — you know that but for the Révolution, which has defrauded me of my titles, I should be noble. May I, then, trust that you may not reject my alliance ? I offer you my hand and heart.

Pauline (aside). He has the air of a man who conféra a favor! (aloud) Sir, you are very condescending— I thank you humbly; but, being duly sensible of my own demerits, you must allow me to décline the honor you propose. {Ourtsie^j and iums away.)

Beau. Décline! impossible! — you are not serions! Madame, suffer me to appeal to you. I am a suitor for your daughter's hand — ^the settlements shall be worthy her beauty and my station. May I wait on M. Deschappelles?

Mme. Deschap. M. Deschappelles never interfères in the domestic arrangements, — you are very obliging. If you were still a marquis, or if my daughter were intended to marry a commoner, — why, perhaps, we might give you the préférence.

Beau. A commoner! — we are ail commonera in France now.

Mme. Deschap. In France, yes; but there is a nobility still left in the other countries in Europe. We are quite aware of your good qualities, and don't doubt that you will find some lady more suitable to your pretensions. We shall be always happy to see you as an acquain tance, M. Beauseant! My dear child, the carriage will be hère presently. (Goe«fo Pauline.)

Beau. Say no more, madam !— say no more ! (aside) Refnsed ! and by a merchant's daughter '. — refused ! It will be ail over Lyona