santer evening.
The king supped in Madame de la Valliere's apartment; the private band
played the most delicious airs during the repast; and when at length the
party retired to rest, not one bright dream was clouded by the memory of
Arnoud de Gency.

"Here, now, were I merely recounting an anecdote, I should stop,"
said the chevalier; "but must continue a little longer, though all the
romance of my story is over. The Marquis de Verneuil was a good hater:
even poor De Gency's fate did not move him, and he actually did do what
he had only threatened in mockery,--he sent the orphan child to be a
turnspit in the royal kitchen. Of course he changed his name,--the title
of an old and honored family would soon have betrayed the foul
deed,--and the boy was called Jacotot, after the _chef_ himself. The
king inquired no further on the subject; Arnoud's name recalled too
unpleasant a topic for the lips of a courtier ever to mention; and the
whole circumstance was soon entirely forgotten.

"This same Jacotot was the grandfather of my old friend, whom you saw a
few minutes since. Fate, that seems to jest with men's destinies, made
them as successful at the fire of the kitchen as ever their ancestors
were at that of a battery; and Monsieur Jacotot, our present host, has
not his equal in Paris. Here for years the younger members of the royal
family used to sup; this room was their favorite apartment; and one
evening, when at a later sitting than usual the ruler of the feast was
carried beyond himself in the praise of an admirable plat, he sent for
Jacotot, and told him, whatever favor he should ask, he himself would
seek for him at the hands of the king.

"This was the long-wished-for moment of the poor fellow's life. He drew
from his bosom the title-deeds of his ancient name and fortune, and
placed them in the prince's hand without uttering a word.

"'What! and are you a De Gency?' said the prince.

"'Alas! I shame to say it, I am.'

"'Come, gentlemen,' said the gay young prince, 'a bumper to our worthy
friend, whom, with God's blessing, I shall see restored right soon to
his fitting rank and station. Yes, De Gency! my word upon it, the next
evening I sup here I shall bring with me his Majesty's own signature to
these title-deeds. Make place, gentlemen, and let him sit down!'

"But poor Jacotot was too much excited by his feelings of joy and
gratitude, and he rushed from the room in a torrent of tears.

"The evening the prin