hours: old
memories and stirring events were recalled and the bonds of nationality
and family affection were more closely knit. French only was spoken at
these soirees, and the elegant manners of the old school were observed
in perfection.

The most remarkable of this set was a Madame Valanbrun, the widow of a
gentleman of large fortune and high position in St. Domingo. He died
before the Revolution. She was only twenty-five when the massacre took
place, beautiful, accomplished and fascinating. Her estates were
extensive, and she lived in one of the principal cities of the island.
At the time of the outbreak she escaped to a Baltimore vessel,
accompanied by several of her house-servants, and saved a part of her
fortune--plate, jewels and some gold coin. Arriving in Baltimore, she
found several of her friends already there. With the elastic temper
peculiar to the French, she determined to make the best of her changed
circumstances. Having purchased a large house in a cheap part of the
city, she fitted up her own suite of rooms on the second floor. Here she
received company, and was attended by her servants as if she had been a
queen. At that period snuff-taking was very fashionable and almost
universal. Some of madame's servants were very expert in making snuff,
cigars and cigarettes: these articles they sold at high prices, for they
soon became well known. Others of her servants made confections, cakes,
sweetmeats, which they carried around in baskets: some made dresses, and
others went out as nurses. The arrangements for all these various
employments were made by the servants themselves, but the profits were
carefully reserved for the queen bee of the hive.

For many years Madame Valanbrun was the centre of the French society of
Baltimore. She had few acquaintances outside of this circle, but the
most distinguished foreigners who visited the city--French, Spanish and
Italian--and several young Americans ambitious to become better
acquainted with the French language, were glad to have the entree of her
salon.

Time wore on. The Bourbons were restored to the throne, and many French
families returned to France to seek their lost fortunes. Some were
successful, but most of them were doomed to disappointment and continued
poverty. Madame Valanbrun remained contented with her humble but
comfortable lot. By degrees her corps of servants was reduced by death,
a new race of competitors sprang up, and her income each year gre