And several ladies, fleeing the crush, had already taken refuge on the numerous seats, clustering in little groups, and laughing and chatting with the few gentlemen who had discovered this retreat of grace and _galanterie_.

In the bright glow of the lamps nothing could be more delightful than the sight of all those bare, sheeny shoulders, and those supple necks, above whose napes were coiled tresses of fair or raven hair.

Bare arms emerged like living flowers of flesh from amidst the mingling lace and silk of soft-hued bodices.

The fans played slowly, as if to heighten the fires of the precious stones, and at each beat wafted around an _odore di femina_ blended with a predominating perfume of violets.
"Hallo!" exclaimed Narcisse, "there's our good friend Monsignor Nani bowing to the Austrian ambassadress." As soon as Nani perceived the young priest and his companion he came towards them, and the trio then withdrew into the embrasure of a window in order that they might chat for a moment at their ease.

The prelate was smiling like one enchanted with the beauty of the _fete_, but at the same time he retained all the serenity of innocence, as if he had not even noticed the exhibition of bare shoulders by which he was surrounded.