THE PEARL OF TOLEDO

[Prosper Mérimée (1808-1870). One of the mostpolished writers of the century, but somewhat pessimistic and cold. This extract, taken from a \o\nxn& caS\&é. Mosaïque, is called by, Mérimée an essay in the Spanish style, and is a good sample of his most highly finished work, tinged with cynicism. He is the author of several stories of high merit and of a mass of interesting correspondence and miscellaneous matter.]

72. 7 — noir. Adjectives of colour sometimes précède their nouns for

rhetorical effect.

23 — &n^de la table.

28— en has no antécédent. It adds to the force of the expression.

73. 15-16— This is the lady's gentle way of refus! ng Tuzani's suit. It is neces-

sary to bear this in mind to explairf his subséquent cruelty.

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