The Works of Th Ophile Gautier Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ...mistakes." MADEMOISELLE DE MAUPIN " Upon my word, you are uncommonly green, and I did not think it was possible to be pastoral and bucolic to such a degree nowadays. What the devil do you do with those great black eyes of yours, then, which, did you but know how to use them, would be irresistible? Just look yonder, in that corner near the mantelpiece, at that little lady in pink who is playing with her fan. She has been observing you through her glasses for the past fifteen minutes with the most significant attention and assiduity. She has not her match in being supremely indecent and nobly shameless. Women dislike her very much, for they despair of ever attaining to the same height of immodesty; but, on the other hand, men are very fond of her, and think her as piquant as a courtesan. It is true that she is charmingly depraved, witty, spirited, and capricious. She is an excellent mistress for a young man with prejudices. In a week she frees a conscience of all scruples and corrupts the heart so that you never will be ridiculous or given to elegy. She is inexpressibly posi-tivist in all things; she goes to the root of a matter with a swiftness and accuracy that are amazing. She is the incarnation of algebra, --exactly what is needed for a dreamer and an enthusiast. She will soon cure you of your vague idealism, and thus do you a great service. Besides, she will do it with the greatest pleasure, for she instinctively loves to disenchant poets." My curiosity being awakened by de C 's description, I emerged from my retreat, and making my way through the groups, I approached the lady and looked at her very attentively. She was about twenty-five or twenty-six; her figure was small but well proportioned, though somewhat plump; her arm was white and...