before dinner. You'll have
an invitation for this evening at once."

"But I have not the slightest wish."

"No matter, _I_ have; and you shall bring me."

"You forget," said I, mimicking his own words, "I am unfortunately not
intimate enough."

"As to that," replied he, "there is a vast difference between the
etiquette Rue du Bac, No. 22, three floors above the _entresol_, and the
gorgeous _salons_ of the Hotel Clichy, Rue Faubourg St. Honore; ceremony
has the advantage in the former by a height of three pair of stairs, not
to speak of the _entresol_."

"But I don't know the people."

"Nor I."

"But how am I to present you?"

"Easily enough,--'Captain Duchesne, Imperial Guard;' or, if you prefer
it, I 'll do the honors for _you_."

"With all my heart, then," said I, laughing; and pre-pared to pay the
visit in question.

CHAPTER X. THE HOTEL DE CLICHY

Duchesne was correct in all his calculations. I had scarcely reached the
Luxembourg when a valet brought me a card for the comtesse's soiree
for that evening. It was accordingly agreed upon that we were to go
together; I as the invited, he as my friend.

"All your finery, Burke, remember that," said he, as we separated to
dress. "The uniform of the _compagnie d'elite_ is as much a decoration
in a _salon_ as a camellia or a geranium."

When he re-entered my room half an hour later, I was struck by the blaze
of orders and decorations with which his jacket was covered; while at
his side there hung a magnificent _sabre d'honneur_, such as the Emperor
was accustomed to confer on his most distinguished officers.

"You smile at all this bravery," said he, wilfully misinterpreting
my look of admiration; "but remember where we are going."

"On the contrary," interrupted I; "but it is the first time I knew you
had the cross of the Legion."

"_Parbleu!_" said he, with an insolent shrug of his shoulders, "I had
lent it to my hairdresser for a ball at the 'Cirque.' But here comes the
carriage."

While we drove along towards the Faubourg I had time to learn some
further particulars of the people to whose house we were proceeding;
and for my reader's information may as well impart them here, with such
other facts as I subsequently collected myself.

Like most of the _salons_ of the new aristocracy, Madame Lacostellerie
received people of every section of party and every class of political
opinion. Standing equally aloof from the old regime and the members
of