Oh, if I were in your place!" She ran giddily on and with lively gestures explained how she would alter the hangings, the seats--everything, in fact.

Then she would give balls to which all Paris should run.

Behind her seat her husband, a magistrate, stood listening with serious air.

It was rumored that she deceived him quite openly, but people pardoned her offense and received her just the same, because, they said, "she's not answerable for her actions." "Oh that Leonide!" the Countess Sabine contented herself by murmuring, smiling her faint smile the while.
With a languid movement she eked out the thought that was in her.

After having lived there seventeen years she certainly would not alter her drawing room now.