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told me all; they assured me, the evening be-fore we departed, that there was not in the whole nation so profound a mathematician as yourself.

They are paid to say so, and are disgraced if they do not. I am exceedingly ignorant, though I wish to be thought otherwise.

How modest!—And then your paintings—

Are every one done by Zolphir.

And the charming symphonies—

Are all composed by Gerastus.

You are really unique in this world.

It is certain no person ever had more art, or carried dissimulation farther! for I have imposed upon the most knowing and clear-sighted people.

Arpalisa, in pronouncing this phrase, certainly intended a very modest answer; for she took so humble an air, with downcast eyes, and made such comic and ridiculous grimaces, that I could with difficulty refrain myself from laughter. Her tone of voice, and the faces she made, agreed so ill with what she uttered, and formed a contrast so

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