ng gave way to the convenience of this splendid _fete_. The
eight o'clock dinner was anticipated by full two hours; no other subject
of conversation was ever broached by the company; and at nine the
carriages were ordered to the door, it being wisely calculated that
if we reached our destination at eleven we should esteem ourselves
fortunate.

How often, as the dashing equipage whirls past to some scene of
pleasure, where beauty and rank and riches await the sated votary of
fashion, will the glare of the carriage-lamps fall upon the gloomy
footway, where, wet and weary, some melancholy figure steals along
with downcast head and plodding step, his thoughts turned ever to
some accustomed scene of wretchedness, where want and misery, disease,
neglect, decay, all herd together, and not even hope can enter! The
poor man, startled, looks up; the rich one, lolling back upon his easy
cushion, casts a downward glance; their eyes meet--it is but a second;
there is no sympathy between them--the course of one lies north, the
other south. Thus at each moment did my sad heart turn away from all the
splendour of the preparation about me, to wonder with myself how even
for an instant I could forget my own path in life, which, opening with
every prospect of happiness, yet now offered not a hope for the future.
Between these two alternate states the hours crept on. As I sat beside
Julia in the carriage, I could not but mark that something weighed also
on her spirits. More silent than usual, she replied, when spoken to,
with effort; and more than once returned wrong answers to my mother, who
talked away unceasingly of the ball and the guests.

It was near midnight when we drove into the large archway of the Hotel
de Rohan, where Madame de Roni held her court. Brilliantly lighted with
lamps of various colours, the very equipages were made a part of the
spectacle, as they shone in bright and changeful hues, reflected from
gorgeous housings, gilded trappings, and costly liveries. A large,
dark-coloured travelling-carriage, with a single pair of horses, stood
in the corner of the court, the only thing to distinguish it being two
mounted light dragoons who waited beside it, and a chasseur in green and
gold uniform who stood at the door. This simple equipage belonged to
the King of Prussia. Around on every side were splendidly appointed
carriages, glittering with emblazonry and gilding, from which, as the
guests descended and entered the marbl