n
sad echo, with the gorgeous splendor of the Hotel Clichy. Here, all was
dark, cold, and dreary; there, everything was lightsome, cheerful, and
elegant. What an emblem, to my thinking, were they both of the dynasties
they represented! But the reflection was only made as one half of the
folding-door was thrown open,--the double-door was the prerogative of
the blood-royal,--and we were announced.

The apartment--a large, sombre-looking one--was empty, however, and we
traversed this, and a second similar to it, our names being repeated as
before; when at length the low tones of voices indicated our approach to
the _salon_ where the visitors were assembled.

Dimly lighted by a few lamps, far apart from each other, the apartment
as we entered seemed even larger than it really was. At one end, around
a huge antique fireplace, sat a group of ladies, whom in a glance I
recognized as of the class so distinctively called dowager. They were
seated in deep-cushioned fauteuils, and were mostly employed in some
embroidery work, which they laid down each time they spoke; and resumed,
less to prosecute the labor, than, as it were, from mere habit.

With all the insinuating gracefulness of a well-bred Frenchman, Duchesne
approached the seat next the chimney, and respectfully kissed the hand
extended towards him.

"Permit me, my dear aunt, to present a very intimate friend,--Captain
Burke," said he, as he led me forward.

At the mention of the word "captain," I could perceive that every hand
dropped its embroidery-frame, while the group stared at me with no
feigned astonishment. But already the duchess had vouchsafed a very
polite speech, and motioned me to a seat beside her; while the chevalier
insinuated himself among the rest, evidently bent on relieving the stiff
and constrained reserve which pervaded the party. Not even his tact and
worldly cleverness was equal to the task. The conversation, if such
it could be called, was conducted almost in monosyllables,--some stray
question for an absent "marquise," or a muttered reply concerning a late
"countess," was the burden; not an allusion even being made to any topic
of the day, nor any phrase dropped which could show that the speakers
were aware of the year or the nation in which they lived and breathed.

It was an inexpressible relief to me when gradually some three or four
other persons dropped in, some of them men, who, by their manner, seemed
favorites of the party. And soon