in the Rue des Cinq-Diamants,--an insignificant circumstance
apparently, but one which did Birotteau good service in after days. When
Cesar and the judge returned to the _entresol_, the latter, surprised
at the general upset of the household, and the presence of workmen on
a Sunday in the house of a man so religious as Birotteau, asked the
meaning of it,--a question which Cesar had been eagerly expecting.

"Though you care very little for the world, monsieur," he said, "you
will see no harm in celebrating the deliverance of our territory.
That, however, is not all. We are about to assemble a few friends to
commemorate my promotion to the order of the Legion of honor."

"Ah!" exclaimed the judge, who was not decorated.

"Possibly I showed myself worthy of that signal and royal favor by
my services on the Bench--oh! of commerce,--and by fighting for the
Bourbons on the steps--"

"True," said the judge.

"--of Saint-Roch on the 13th Vendemiaire, where I was wounded by
Napoleon. May I not hope that you and Madame Popinot will do us the
honor of being present?"

"Willingly," said the judge. "If my wife is well enough I will bring
her."

"Xandrot," said Roguin to his clerk, as they left the house, "give up
all thoughts of marrying Cesarine; six weeks hence you will thank me for
that advice."

"Why?" asked Crottat.

"My dear fellow, Birotteau is going to spend a hundred thousand francs
on his ball, and he is involving his whole fortune, against my advice,
in that speculation in lands. Six weeks hence he and his family won't
have bread to eat. Marry Mademoiselle Lourdois, the daughter of the
house-painter. She has three hundred thousand francs _dot_. I threw out
that anchor to windward for you. If you will pay me a hundred thousand
francs down for my practice, you may have it to-morrow."

The splendors of the approaching ball were announced by the newspapers
to all Europe, and were also made known to the world of commerce by
rumors to which the preparations, carried on night and day, had given
rise. Some said that Cesar had hired three houses, and that he was
gilding his salons; others that the supper would furnish dishes invented
for the occasion. On one hand it was reported that no merchants would be
invited, the fete being given to the members of the government; on the
other hand, Cesar was severely blamed for his ambition, and laughed at
for his political pretensions: some people even went so far as to deny
his