charming Jenny, with whom he was by this time in
love. Leon de Lora and Bixiou left their victim in the hands of that
most roguish and frolicsome member of the anomalous society,--for Jenny
Cadine is the sole rival in that respect of the famous Dejazet.

At the supper-table, where Gazonal was fascinated by a silver service
made by the modern Benvenuto Cellini, Froment-Meurice, the contents of
which were worthy of the container, his mischievous friends were careful
to sit at some distance from him; but they followed with cautious
eye the manoeuvres of the clever actress, who, being attracted by the
insidious hope of getting her furniture renewed, was playing her cards
to take the provincial home with her. No sheep upon the day of the
Fete-Dieu ever more meekly allowed his little Saint John to lead him
along than Gazonal as he followed his siren.

Three days later, Leon and Bixiou, who had not seen Gazonal since that
evening, went to his lodgings about two in the afternoon.

"Well, cousin," said Leon, "the Council of State has decided in favour
of your suit."

"Maybe, but it is useless now, cousin," said Gazonal, lifting a
melancholy eye to his two friends. "I've become a republican."

"What does that mean?" asked Leon.

"I haven't anything left; not even enough to pay my lawyer," replied
Gazonal. "Madame Jenny Cadine has got notes of hand out of me to the
amount of more money than all the property I own--"

"The fact is Cadine is rather dear; but--"

"Oh, but I didn't get anything for my money," said Gazonal. "What a
woman! Well, I'll own the provinces are not a match for Paris; I shall
retire to La Trappe."

"Good!" said Bixiou, "now you are reasonable. Come, recognize the
majesty of the capital."

"And of capital," added Leon, holding out to Gazonal his notes of hand.

Gazonal gazed at the papers with a stupefied air.

"You can't say now that we don't understand the duties of hospitality;
haven't we educated you, saved you from poverty, feasted you, and amused
you?" said Bixiou.

"_And_ fooled you," added Leon, making the gesture of gamins to express
the action of picking pockets.

ADDENDUM

The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy.

Brambourg, Comte de
A Bachelor's Establishment

Cadine, Jenny
Cousin Betty
Beatrix
The Member for Arcis

Canalis, Constant-Cyr-Melchior, Baron de
Letters of Two Brides
A Dist