d'ors, and seeing he
offered me one hundred and fifty for it; 'My master,' said I, 'has no
occasion for this tinselled bauble to distinguish him at the ball; and,
although he was pretty full of cash when I left him, how know I in what
situation he may be upon my return? there is no certainty at play.' To
be brief, Sir, I got ten louis d'ors for it more than it cost you: this
you see is all clear profit: I will be accountable to you for it, and
you know that I am sufficiently substantial to make good such a sum.
Confess now, do you think you would have appeared to greater advantage
at the ball, if you had been dressed out in that damned coat, which
would have made you look just like the village bridegroom to whom we
sold it? and yet how you stormed at London when you thought it lost;
what fine stories you told the king about the quicksand; and how
churlish you looked, when you first began to suppose that this country
booby wore it at his wedding!"

What could the Chevalier reply to such uncommon impudence? If he
indulged his resentment, he must either have most severely bastinadoed
him, or he must have discarded him, as the easiest escape the rogue
could expect; but he had occasion for him during the remainder of his
journey; and, as soon as he was at Paris, he had occasion for him for
his return.

The Marechal de Grammont had no sooner notice of his arrival than he
went to him at the hotel; and, the first embraces being over on both
sides, "Chevalier," said the Marechal, "how many days have you been in
coming from London hither? for God knows at what a rate you travel on
such occasions." The Chevalier told him he had been three days upon the
road; and, to excuse himself for making no more haste, he related to
him his Abbeville adventure. "It is a very entertaining one," said his
brother; "but what is yet more entertaining is, that it will be your
fault if you do not find your coat still at table; for the country
gentry are not accustomed to rise very soon from a wedding dinner." And
then, in a very serious tone, told him, "he knew not who had advised him
to this unexpected return, which might probably ruin all his affairs;
but he had orders from the king to bid him go back again without
appearing at court. He told him afterwards that he was very much
astonished at his impatience, as, till this time, he had conducted
himself uncommonly well, and was sufficiently acquainted with the king's
temper to know that the only