Of this Newton received the benefit. An excellent dinner or rather supper with M. de Fontanges, a comfortable bed in a room supplied with all that convenience or luxury could demand, enabled him to pass a very different night from those which we have lately described.
About twelve o'clock the ensuing day, Newton was summoned by one of the slave girls to the boudoir of Madame de Fontanges. He found her on the ottoman, as before. Newton, who had been operated upon by a black barber, and was dressed in the habiliments of M. de Fontanges, made a much more respectable appearance than upon his former introduction.
Newton, not understanding, answered with another bow.
"Le jeune homme n'entends pas, madame," observed Mimi.
"Que c'est ennuyant. Monsieur," said Madame Fontanges, pointing to herself, "moi,--Madame de Fontanges: vous?" pointing to him.
"Nu-tong Fasta--ah, c'est bon; cela commence," said the lady. "Allons, mes enfans, répétez-lui tous vos noms."
"Moi--Mimi," said the girl bearing that name, going up to Newton, and pointing to herself.
"Mimi," repeated Newton, with a smile and nod of his head.
"Et moi--Cupidon," finished the little black boy, running up, and then retreating as fast back into his corner.
Newton repeated all the names, as the individuals respectively introduced themselves to him. Then there was a pause, during which, at the desire of Madame de Fontanges, Newton was offered a chair, and sat down.
"Allons, dites-lui les noms de toute la garniture," said Madame de Fontanges to her attendants.
"Oui, madame," said Mimi, going up to Newton, and, pointing to the fan in her hand,--"éventail."
"Éventail," repeated Newton, who began to be amused, and who now repeated every French word after them.
"Flaçon," said Charlotte, showing him the eau-de-Cologne bottle.
"Chaise," cried Louise, holding up a chair.
"Mouchoir," said Caroline, holding up an embroidered handkerchief.
"Montre," followed up Manchette, pointing to her mistress's watch.
"Canapé," cried Céleste, pointing to the ottoman.
"Joli garçon," bawled out Cupidon, coming up to Newton, and pointing to himself.
This created a laugh, and then the lesson was continued. Every article in the room was successively pointed out to Newton, and he was obliged to repeat the name; and afterwards the articles of their dress were resorted to, much to his amusement. Then, there was a dead stand:--the fact is that there is no talking with noun substantives only.