Page:Genlis - The Palace of Truth (1819).djvu/115

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Just then Zoram, one of Phanor's courtiers, joined the company: Hold, cried Chrisel, addressing himself to Gelanor, if you want to find a happy man, interrogate this, whose mirth is so great, it approaches folly, amusing himself with every thing, impassioned, enthusiastic—are you not, Zoram?

These are my pretensions, replied Zoram.

Pretensions! Why, are you not furiously fond of music, painting, hunting—

Hunting fatigues me; the best music in the world to me is only noise, and I have no taste for painting: but I keep hounds, hire musicians, and buy pictures; that is, I ruin myself, to persuade the world I am amused and happy.

Come, come, leave joking and answer seriously.

I am satisfied, replied Gelanor; and now let me question this lady, who is sitting in the midst of that agreeable group of children and young ladies. You are the mother of a family, Madam? said the philosopher.

These who sit round are my children.

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