As they were all aware that I did not want them to know their costumes till after supper, nothing was said about it, and we sat down to table.  The supper was excellent; I had ordered it in accordance with my own tastes; that is to say, everything was of the best, and there was plenty of everything.  When we had eaten and drunk well, I said,—­

“As I am not going to appear with you, I may as well tell you the parts you are to play.  You are to be five beggars, two men and three women, all rags and tatters.”

The long faces they pulled at this announcement were a pleasant sight to see.

“You will each carry a plate in your hands to solicit alms, and you must walk together about the ball-room as a band of mendicants.  But now follow me and take possession of your ragged robes.”

Although I had much ado to refrain from laughing at the vexation and disappointment which appeared on all their faces, I succeeded in preserving my serious air.  They did not seem in any kind of hurry to get their clothes, and I was obliged to tell them that they were keeping me waiting.  They rose from the table and I threw the door open, and all were struck with Zenobia’s beauty as she stood up by the table on which the rich though tattered robes were displayed, bowing to the company with much grace.

“Here, ladies,” said I to the cousins, “are your dresses, and here is yours, mademoiselle—­a little smaller.  Here are your shifts, your handkerchiefs and your stockings, and I think you will find everything you require on this table.  Here are masks, the faces of which shew so poorly beside your own, and here are three plates to crave alms.  If anybody looks as high as your garters, they will see how wretched you are, and the holes in the stockings will let people know that you have not the wherewithal to buy silk to mend them.  This packthread must serve you for buckles, and we must take care that there are holes in your shoes and also in your gloves, and as everything must match, as soon as you have put on your chemises you must tear the lace round the neck.”

While I was going through this explanation I saw surprise and delight efface the disappointment and vexation which had been there a moment before.  They saw what a rich disguise I had provided for them, and they could not find it in their hearts to say, “What a pity!”

“Here, gentlemen, are your beggar-clothes.  I forgot to lacerate your beaver hats, but that is soon done.  Well, what do you think of the costume?”

“Now, ladies, we must leave you; shut the door fast, for it is a case of changing your shifts.  Now, gentlemen, leave the room.”

The marquis was enthusiastic.

“What a sensation we shall create!” said he, “nothing could be better.”

In half an hour we were ready.  The stockings in holes, the worn-out shoes, the lace in rags, the straggling hair, the sad masks, the notched plates—­all made a picture of sumptuous misery hard to be described.