"
All this was but of small import to me. Nevertheless, I affected
to regret the unavoidable absence of Lebel. In fact, I believe
that the first breath inspired at court is fraught with falsehood
and deceit, entirely destructive to every feeling of natural candor.
Lebel, with the most ceremonious gallantry, conducted me to a
private dressing-room, where I found several females waiting to
assist me at my toilet; I abandoned myself to their cares, which
were, indeed, most skilfully exercised in my behalf. They wrought
wonders in my appearance, bathing me after the Eastern fashion,
adorning my hair and person, till I issued from their hands blooming
and beauteous as an houri.
When I returned to the room in which Lebel was expecting me, his
surprise was almost overpowering.
"You are, indeed," exclaimed he, "the new sun which is to rise
upon Versailles."
"Excellent!" cried I, laughing extravagantly, "but like the planet
you are pleased to compare me with, I must reserve my splendid
rising till I have obtained fresh powers from the aid of night."*
*
,
is the witty reply in the original, but which it is
impossible to render fully and piquantly through the
dilution of a translation.---tr.
The comte entered, and joined his congratulations upon the beauty
of my appearance; all at once the hasty, sound of a bell, violently
pulled, was heard.
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