When a lady has borrowed ornaments of another, as for instance, jewels, the latter should always offer to lend her more than are asked for; she ought also to keep a profound silence about the things which she has lent, and even abstain from wearing them for sometime afterwards, in order that they may not be recognised. If any one, perceiving they were borrowed, should speak to the person of it, he would pass for an ill-bred man. If the borrower speaks to you of it, it is well to reply that nobody had recognised them. All this advice is minute, but what kind will you have ? it concerns female self-esteem.
--From The Gentleman and Lady's Book of Politeness and Propriety of Deportment--
The last sentence is so French... I practically want to clap my hands upon reading it.
You were brilliant Madame Celnart, brilliant.
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