we have inserted decimals and omitted zeros to make them more
readable}

Thus the account stood the day I was first offered to the admiration of
the fair of New York. Mr. Bobbinet, however, was in no hurry to
exhibit me, having several articles of less beauty, that he was anxious to
get off first. For my part, I was as desirous of being produced, as ever a
young lady was to come out; and then my companions in the drawer
were not of the most agreeable character. We were all pocket-
handkerchiefs, together, and all of French birth. Of the whole party, I
was the only one that had been worked by a real lady, and
consequently my education was manifestly superior to those of my
companions. THEY could scarcely be called comme il faut, at all;
though, to own the truth, I am afraid there is tant soit peu de vulgarity
about all WORKED pocket-handkerchiefs. I remember that, one day,
when Madame de la Rocheaimard and Adrienne were discussing the
expediency of buying our whole piece, with a view of offering us to their
benefactress, the former, who had a fine tact in matters of this sort,
expressed a doubt whether the dauphine would be pleased with such an
offering.

{comme il faut = proper; tant soit peu de = ever so little of; {worked =
embroidered}

"Her Royal Highness, like all cultivated minds, looks for fitness in her
ornaments and tastes. What fitness is there, ma chere, in converting an
article of real use, and which should not be paraded to one's associates,
into an article of senseless luxury. I know there are two doctrines on this
important point--"