Her room was furnished with luxurious elegance.  Satin hangings covered the walls; the furniture was upholstered with rare gobelin tapestry.  Gilded cabinets veneered with tortoise-shell held, behind glass doors, all sorts of costly toys, and dolls in full costume.  On a Venetian table with mosaic top lay a pack of cards and three heaps of money—­one of gold, one of silver, the third of copper.  On a low, three-legged table was a something shaped like an organ, with a long row of metal and wooden pipes.  Near the window stood a drawing-table, on which were sheets of drawing-board, and glasses containing pulverized colors.  There was also a bookcase; on the shelves were volumes of Vertuch’s “Orbis pictus,” the “Portefeuille des enfants,” the “History of Robinson Crusoe,” and several numbers of a fashion magazine, the “Album des salons,” the illustrations of which lay scattered about on tables and chairs.

The guests were all assembled; not one was missing.  The little hostess inquired after the health of each one in turn, and how they had enjoyed their outing.  They all had names.  The cats were Hitz, Mitz, Pani, and Miura.  They were introduced to the two pugs, Phryxus and Helle.  Then the little maid fetched a porcelain basin, and with a sponge washed each nose and paw.  Only after this operation had been thoroughly performed were the guests allowed to take their places at the breakfast-table—­the four cats opposite the two pugs.

Then a clean napkin was tied about the neck of each guest,—­that their jabots might not get soiled with milk,—­and a cup of bread and milk placed in front of each one.

No complaints were allowed (the one that broke this rule was severely lectured), while all of them had patiently to submit when the sparrow helped himself from whichever cup he chose.  The breakfast over, the guests bow-wowed and miaued their thanks, and were dismissed to their morning nap.

The musical clock now began to play its shepherd’s song; the brass Cyclops standing on the dial struck the hour; the cuckoo called, and the halberdier saluted.  Then the little maid changed her toilet.  She had a whole wardrobe full of clothes; she might select what she chose to wear.  There was no one to tell her what to put on, or to help her attire herself.  When her toilet was completed, a bell outside rang once, whereupon she donned her hat and tied over her face a heavy lace veil that effectually concealed her features.  After a few minutes the bell rang a second time, and the sound of wheels in the courtyard was heard.  Then three taps sounded on the door, and in answer to the little maid’s clear-voiced “Come in!” a gentleman in promenade toilet entered the room and bowed respectfully.  First he satisfied himself that the veil was securely fastened around the young girl’s hat; then, drawing her hand through his arm, he led her to the carriage.