Serafina, whose vanity was
overweening, delighted in the fulsome homage paid to her charms, and
smiled encouragingly upon her throng of admirers, but Isabelle, who
was intensely annoyed at the whole thing, did not pay the slightest
attention to them, nor even once raise her eyes to look at them; being
apparently absorbed in the duties of her toilet, which she accomplished
as quietly and modestly as possible--having left only the finishing
touches to be given in that public place.
The Duke of Vallombreuse was careful, of course, not to miss this
excellent opportunity, of which he had been informed by Maitre Bilot, to
see Isabelle again, and entering the green-room in good season, followed
by his friend Vidalinc, marched straight up to her toilet-table. He
was enchanted to find that, on this close inspection, she was even more
beautiful than he had supposed, and in his enthusiastic delight at
this discovery could scarcely refrain from seizing her in his arms and
declaring his passion there and then; only the presence of the crowd of
lookers-on saved Isabelle from what would have been a most trying and
painful scene.
The young duke was superbly dressed. He had spared no pains, for
he wanted to dazzle Isabelle, and he certainly did look splendidly
handsome.
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