Another Study of Woman (Stage 2)

At Paris there are almost always two seperate parties going on at every ball and rout. First, an official party, composed of the persons invited, a fashionable and much, bored circle. Each one grimaces for his neighbour's eye. Most of the younger women are there for one person only. Each woman has assured herself that for that one. She is the handsomest woman in the room, and that the opinion is perhaps shared by a few others, a few insignificant phrases are exchanged, as;

"Do you think of going away soon to La Crampade?" "How well Madame de Portenduere sang!" "Who is that little woman with such a load of diamonds?" Or, after firing off some smart epigrams, which gice transient pleasure, and leave wounds that rankle long, the groups thin out, the mere lookers on go away, and the waxlights burn down to the sconces.

The mistress of the house then waylays a few artists, amusing people or intimate friends, saying, "Do not go yet. We will have a snug little supper." These collect in some small room. The second, the real party, now beings. A party where, as of old, every one can hear what is said, conversation is general. Each one is bound to be witty and to contribute to the amusement of all. Everything is made to tell, honest laughter takes the place of the gloom which in company saddens the prettiest faces. In short, where the rout ends pleasure begins.