the honor of dancing
with her, she looked at me with an air of surprise, as though not
understanding my words, when suddenly the countess interposed,--

"I fear that my daughter's engagements have been made long since; but
another night--"

"I will hope--"

But before I could say more, the countess addressed another person near
her, and mademoiselle, turning her head superciliously away, did not
deign me any further attention; so that, abashed and awkward at so
unfavorable a _debut_ in the gay world, I fell back, and mixed with the
crowd.

As I did so, I found myself among a group of officers, one of whom was
relating an anecdote just then current in Paris, and which I mention
merely as illustrating in some measure the habits of the period.

At the levee of the Emperor on the morning before, an old general of
brigade advanced to pay his respects, when Napoleon observed some drops
of rain glistening on the embroidery of his uniform. He immediately
turned towards one of his suite, and gave orders to ascertain by what
carriage the general had arrived. The answer was, that he had come in
a _fiacre_,--a hired vehicle, which by the rules of the Court was not
admitted within the court of the Tuileries, and thus he was obliged to
walk above one hundred yards before he could obtain shelter. The old
officer, who knew nothing of the tender solicitude of the Emperor, was
confounded with astonishment to observe at his departure a handsome
_caleche_ and two splendid horses at his service.

"Whose carriage is this?" said he.

"Yours, Monsieur le General."

"And the servant, and the horses?"

"Yours, also. His Majesty has graciously been pleased to order them for
you; and desires you will remember that the sum of six thousand francs
will be deducted from your pay to meet the cost of the equipage which
the Emperor deems befitting your rank in the service."

"It is thus," said the narrator, "the Emperor would enforce that
liberality on others he so eminently displays himself. The spoils of
Italy and Austria are destined, not to found a new _noblesse_, but to
enrich the _bourgeoisie_ of this good city of Paris. I say, Edward,
is not that Duchesne yonder? I thought he was above patronizing the
_salons_ of a mere commissary-general."

"You don't know the chevalier," replied the other; "no game flies
too high or too low for his mark. Depend upon it, he's not here for
nothing."

"If mademoiselle be the object," said a third,