cription
of those whose early coldness of manner had chilled my first
advances,--"and do you know," said he, impetuously, "who these
aristocrats are? The sons of honest _bourgeois_ of Paris. Their fathers
are worthy men of the Rue Vivienne or the Palais,--excellent people,
I 've no doubt, but very far better judges of point lace and pate, de
Perigord than disputed precedence and armorial quarterings. Far better
the others,--the humble soldiers of fortune, whose highest pride is
their own daring, their own undaunted heroism. Well, well," added he,
after a pause, "I must get you away from this; I can manage it in a day
or two. You shall be sent down to Versailles with a detachment."

I could not help starting with surprise at these words, and through all
the pleasure they gave me my astonishment was still predominant.

"I see you are amazed at what I say; but it is not so wonderful as you
think. My cousin has only to hint to Madame Bonaparte, who is at present
there, and the thing is done."

I blushed deeply as I thought of the agency through which my wishes were
to meet accomplishment, and turned away to hide my embarrassment.

"By the bye, I have not presented you to her yet. I 've had no
opportunity; but now I shall do so at once."

"Pray, tell me your cousin's name," said I, anxious to say anything to
conceal my confusion. "I 've only heard her name called 'La Rose de
Provence.'"

"Yes, that was a silly fancy of Madame la Consulesse, because Marie is
Provengale, But her name is De Rochfort,--at least her mother's name;
for, by another caprice, she was forbidden by Bonaparte to bear her
father's name. But this is rather a sore topic with me; let us
change it. How did you like my friends the other evening? The abb, is
agreeable, is he not?"

"Yes," said I, hesitating somewhat; "but I am so unaccustomed to hear
General Bonaparte discussed so freely--"

"That absurd Polytechnique!" interrupted De Beauvais. "How many a
fine fellow has it spoiled with its ridiculous notions and foolish
prejudices!"

"Come, come," said I; "you must not call prejudices the attachment which
I, and all who wear an epaulette, feel in our glorious chief. There,
there! don't laugh, or you 'll provoke me; for if I, an alien, feel
this, how should you, who are a Frenchman born, sympathize with such a
proud career?"

"If you talk of sympathy, Burke, let me ask you. Have you ever heard
speak of certain old families of these realms who hav