A woman by our side sat looking into a tiny pocket-mirror of gold studded with emeralds, powdering her face the while with a powder-puff to match, in the centre of which were more emeralds, large and beautifully cut.

Louis noticed my scrutiny.
"The wealth of France," he whispered in my ear, "is spent upon its women.

What the Englishman spends at his club or on his sports the Frenchman spends upon his womankind.

Even the _bourgeoisie_, who hold their money with clenched fists like that," he gesticulated, striking the table, "for their women they spend, spend freely.

They do all this, and the great thing which they ask in return is that they are amused.