Page:Adventures of Susan Hopley (Volume 1).pdf/182

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SUSAN HOPLEY.
169

"Does it?" said Miss Jones, looking round at him.

"Yes," replied he, "it does. It has been very popular here all the season; and the danseuse who performs Nina, the heroine, is extremely clever—there she is now; that's her, appearing with her milk-pails. That youth who follows her, is a shepherd who is deeply in love with her—but she disdains his suit. See, he kneels, but she is inexorable. Now, observe the cavalier who enters at the back of the stage, and is watching them; that is a prince who, captivated by her charms, has come in disguise to seek her."

"Does he intend to marry her?" inquired Miss Jones.

"Diable!" muttered Rochechouart. "You will see presently," said he. "Now, observe, he kneels at her feet, and vows eternal love. Ah! she says, you must prove it by making me a princess."

"And will he?" asked Miss Jones.

"Look; he says she shall be mistress of his heart, but that being a prince he cannot marry her."

"Then I wouldn't listen to a word more he has to say, if I were her," said Miss Jones.

"You think so," said Rochechouart; "but you wouldn't be able to help it."

VOL. I.
I