ames we heard following in quick
succession; when suddenly an avenue was opened by a master of the
ceremonies before me, who read from my card the words, "Le Capitaine
Burke, officier d'elite; le Chevalier Duchesne, presente par lui." And
advancing within the doorway, I found myself opposite a very handsome
woman, whose brilliant dress and blaze of diamonds concealed any ravages
time might have made upon her beauty.

She was conversing with the Arch-Chancellor, Cambaceres, when my name
was announced; and turning rapidly round, touched my arm with her
bouquet, as she said, with a most gracious smile,--

"I am but too much flattered to see you on so short an invitation; but
M. de Tascher's note led me to hope I might presume so far. Your friend,
I believe?"

"I have taken the great liberty--"

"Indeed, Madame la Comtesse," said Duchesne, interrupting, "I must
exculpate my friend here. This intrusion rests on my own head, and has
no other apology than my long cherished wish to pay my homage to the
most distinguished ornament of the Parisian world."

As he spoke, the quiet flow of his words, and the low deferential bow
with which he accompanied them, completely divested his speech of its
tone of gross flattery, and merely made it seem a very fitting and
appropriate expression.

"This would be a very high compliment, indeed," replied Madame de
Lacostellerie, with a flush of evident pleasure on her cheek, "had it
even come from one less known than the Chevalier Duchesne. I hope the
Duchesse de Montserrat is well,--your aunt, if I mistake not?" "Yes,
Madame," said he, "in excellent health; it will afford her great
pleasure when I inform her of your polite inquiry."

Another announcement now compelled us to follow the current in front,
which I was well content to do, and escape from an interchange of fine
speeches, of whose sincerity, on one side at least, I had very strong
misgivings.

"So, then, the comtesse is acquainted with your family?" said I, in a
whisper.

"Who said so?" replied he, laughing.

"Did she not ask after the Duchesse de Montserrat?"

"And then?"

"And didn't you promise to convey her very kind message?"

"To be sure I did. But are you simple enough to think that either of us
were serious in what we said? Why, my dear friend, she never saw my
aunt in her life; nor, if I were to hint at her inquiry for her to
the duchesse, am I certain it would not cost me something like a half
million of fr