I am quite sure that there are many people in Paris I should like to meet, but they are scarcely likely to be present at an embassy ball.

And even if they were, a mere introduction, an interchange of society platitudes, would not bring me any further.

No; go you to your ball, and leave me at home." Pilar sighed, and gave up the struggle, and then received the jeweler, who had brought the newly-set ornament for the hair, a miracle of taste, delicate workmanship, and splendor.
In the afternoon Monsieur Martin, the prince of Paris hairdressers, arrived, to compose her a coiffure for the ball.

He was a little man, with a clean-shaven upper lip, and the mutton-chop whiskers of a solicitor.

He wore a long black coat, of severe cut, buttoned up to the top, and a ribbon in his buttonhole.