As to manners and customs, they are, without being immoral, which would be out of the question in our society, distinguished by a frivolity and a faculty for being carried away with allurements which are shocking in the extreme.  I will only give you a single example of this, although it is one that has struck me most forcibly.

Ten minutes’ walk from the house there is a charming little stream overshadowed by spreading willows; the current is slight, the water pellucid, and the bed covered with sand so fine that one’s feet sink into it like a carpet.  Now, would you believe it, dear friend, that, in this hot weather, all those staying at the house go at the same time, together, and, without distinction of sex, bathe in it?  A simple garment of thin stuff, and very tight, somewhat imperfectly screens the strangely daring modesty of the ladies.  Forgive me, my pious friend, for entering into all these details, and for troubling the peacefulness of your soul by this picture of worldly scenes, but I promised to share with you my impressions, as well as my most secret thoughts.  It is a sacred contract which I am fulfilling.

I will, therefore, acknowledge that these bathing scenes shocked me greatly, the first time I heard them spoken of.  I resented it with a species of disgust easy to understand, while I positively refused to take part in them.  To speak the truth, I was chafed a little; still, these worldly railleries could not touch me, and had no effect on my determination.

Yesterday, however, about five in the afternoon, the Marchioness sent for me, and managed the affair so neatly, that it was impossible for me not to act as her escort.

We started.  The maid carried the bathing costumes both of the Marchioness and of my sister, who was to join us later.

“I know,” said my cousin, “that you swim well; the fame of your abilities has reached us here from your college.  You are going to teach me to float, eh, Robert?”

“I do not set much store by such paltry physical acquirements, cousin,” I replied; “I swim fairly, nothing more.”

And I turned my head to avoid an extremely penetrating aroma with which her hair was impregnated.  You know very well that I am subject to nervous attacks.

“But, my dear child, physical advantages are not so much to be despised.”

This “dear child” displeased me much.  My cousin is twenty-six, it is true, but I am no longer, properly speaking, a “dear child,” and besides, it denoted a familiarity which I did not care for.  It was, on the part of the Marchioness, one of the consequences of that frivolity of mind, that carelessness of speech which I mentioned above, and nothing more; still, I was shocked at it.  She went on: 

“Exaggerated modesty is not good form in society,” she said, turning toward me with a smile.  “You will, in time, make a very handsome cavalier, my dear Robert, and that which you now lack is easy to acquire.  For instance, you should have your hair dressed by the Marquis’s valet.  He will do it admirably, and then you will be charming.”