Government and the smiling deputies and the murderous police--and then
the troops came, and the affair took a different turn. In three days
thirty thousand troops were in Paris--principally cavalry, many of the
regiments coming from as far away as the center of France.

[Illustration: ECOLE DES BEAUX ARTS]

With these and the police and the Garde Republicaine against them, the
students melted away like a handful of snow in the sun; but the
demonstrations continued spasmodically for two or three days longer, and
the little crooked streets, like the rue du Four, were kept clear by the
cavalry trotting abreast--in and out and dodging around corners--their
black horse-tail plumes waving and helmets shining. It is sufficient to
say that the vast army of artists and poets were routed to a man and
driven back into the more peaceful atmosphere of their studios.

But the "Bullier" is closing and the crowd is pouring out into the cool
air. I catch a glimpse of Yvonne with six students all in one fiacre,
but Yvonne has been given the most comfortable place. They have put her
in the hood, and the next instant they are rattling away to the Pantheon
for supper.

If you walk down with the rest, you will pass dozens of jolly groups
singing and romping and dancing along down the "Boul' Miche" to the
taverne, for a bock and some ecrivisse. With youth, good humor, and a
"louis," all the world seems gay!

CHAPTER IV

BAL DES QUAT'Z' ARTS

Of all the balls in Paris, the annual "Bal des Quat'z' Arts" stands
unique. This costume ball is given every year, in the spring, by the
students of the different ateliers, each atelier vying with the others
in creation of the various floats and corteges, and in the artistic
effect and historical correctness of the costumes.

The first "Quat'z' Arts" ball was given in 1892. It was a primitive
affair, compared with the later ones, but it was a success, and
immediately the "Quat'z' Arts" Ball was put into the hands of clever
organizers, and became a studied event in all its artistic sense. Months
are spent in the creation of spectacles and in the costuming of students
and models. Prizes are given for the most successful organizations, and
a jury composed of painters and sculptors passes upon your costume as
you enter the ball, and if you do not come up to their artistic
standard you are unceremoniously turned away. Students who have been
successful in getting into the "Quat'z' Arts" for ye