handsome suit of
black velvet, which has not the least of a theatrical air about it, and
has never been used; any gentleman could wear it, and unless I am much
mistaken it will fit you capitally. I have also the fine linen shirt,
silk stockings, shoes--with broad buckles, and cloak to go with
it--there is nothing wanting, not even the sword."

"Oh! as to that," cried de Sigognac, with a gesture expressive of
all that pride of birth which no misfortunes could crush, "I have my
father's sword."

"True," answered Blazius, "and guard it sacredly, my lord! for a sword
is a faithful friend--defender of its master's life and honour. IT does
not abandon him in times of peril and disaster, like the false friends
who cling only to prosperity. Our stage swords have neither edge
nor point, for they are only intended for show; the wounds they make
disappear suddenly when the curtain falls, without the aid of the
surgeon with his instruments and lint. That trusty sword of yours you
can depend upon in any emergency, and I have already seen it doing good
service in our behalf. But permit me to go and fetch the things I spoke
of; I am impatient to see the butterfly emerge from the chrysalis."

Having thus spoken, in the theatrical way that had become habitual with
him, the worthy pedant quitted the room, and soon reappeared, carrying
a large package, which he deposited on the table in the centre of the
chamber.

"If your lordship will accept an old actor as valet-de-chambre," he
said, rubbing his hands joyfully together, "I will beautify you in no
time. All the ladies will be sure to fall in love with you, for--with no
disrespect to the larder at the Chateau de Sigognac be it said--you
have fasted so much in your lonely life there that it has made you most
interestingly slender and pale--just what the dear creatures delight in.
They would not listen to a word from a stout lover, even if the diamonds
and pearls of the fairy tale dropped from his lips whenever he spoke.
That is the sole reason for my want of success with the fair sex, and I
long ago deserted the shrine of Venus for the worship of Bacchus. A big
paunch is not amiss among the devotees of that merry god, for it bears
witness to plentiful libations."

Thus running on gaily, the worthy pedant strove to amuse the melancholy
young nobleman, while he deftly performed his duties as valet; and
they were very quickly completed, for the requirements of the stage
necessitate gre