But Joseph, behind his counter, unaware of either the offense or the resentment, was blushing with pleasure before a visitor who had entered by the side door farthest from the company.
"Gentlemen," said Agricola, "h-my dear friends, you must not expect an old Creole to like anything in comparison with _la belle langue_." "Which language do you call _la belle ?_" asked Doctor Keene, with pretended simplicity.
The old man bent upon him a look of unspeakable contempt, which nobody noticed.

The gossips were one by one stealing a glance toward that which ever was, is and must be an irresistible lodestone to the eyes of all the sons of Adam, to wit, a chaste and graceful complement of--skirts.
Then in a lower tone they resumed their desultory conversation.
It was the seeker after basil who stood before the counter, holding in her hand, with her purse, the heavy veil whose folds had before concealed her features..