Chapter 9

I might have been a fortnight in the shop, when I heard a voice as gentle
and lady-like as that of Adrienne, inquiring for pocket-handkerchiefs.
My heart fairly beat for joy; for, to own the truth, I was getting to be
wearied to death with the garrulous folly of my companions. They had
so much of the couturieres about them! not one of the whole party ever
having been a regular employee in genteel life. Their niaisiries were
endless, and there was just as much of the low bred anticipation as to
their future purchases, as one sees at the balls of the Champs Elysee on
the subject of partners. The word "pocket-handkerchief," and that so
sweetly pronounced, drew open our drawer, as it might be, instinctively.
Two or three dozen of us, all of exquisite fineness, were laid upon the
counter, myself and two or three more of the better class being kept a
little in the back ground, as a skillful general holds his best troops in
reserve.

{couturieres = dress makers; niaisiries = should read niaiseries, French
for silliness}

The customers were sisters; that was visible at a glance. Both were
pretty, almost beautiful--and there was an air of simplicity about their
dress, a quiet and unobtrusive dignity in their manners, which at once
announced them to be real ladies. Even the tones of their voices were
polished, a circumstance that I think one is a little apt to notice in New
York. I discovered, in the course of the conversation, that they were the
daughters of a gentleman of very large estate, and belonged to the true
elite of the country. The manner in which the clerks received them,
indeed, proclaimed this; for, though their other claims might not have so
promptly extracted this homage, their known wealth would.

Mr. Bobbinet attended these customers in person. Practiced in all that
portion of human knowledge which appertains to a salesman, he let the
sweet girls select two or three dozen handkerchiefs of great beauty, but
totally without ornament, and even pay for them, before he said a word
on the subject of the claims of his reserved corps. When he thought the
proper moment had arrived, however, one of the least decorated of our
party was offered to the consideration of the young ladies. The sisters
were named Anne and Maria, and I could see by the pleasure that
beamed in the soft blue eyes of the former, that she was quite enchanted
with the beauty of the article laid before her so unexpectedly. I believe it
is in FEMALE "human nature" to admire every thing that is graceful and
handsome, and especially when it takes the form of needle-work. The
sweet girls praised handkerchief after handkerchief, until I was laid
before them, when their pleasure extracted exclamations of delight. All