Chapter 83
"You are determined it shall not continue much longer," said I, laughing; "that is quite evident."
"No; on the contrary, I shall be but too happy to be your convert, instead of making you mine. But unfortunately, Sa Majeste, Empereur et Roi, has taught me some smart lessons since I gave up mathematics; and I have acquired a smattering of his own policy, which is to look after the substance, and leave the shadow--or the _drapeau_, if you like it better--to whoever pleases."
"I confess, however," said I, "I don't well understand your enthusiasm about war and your indifference about its trophies. To me the a.s.sociations they suggest are pleasurable beyond anything."
"I think I remember something of that kind in myself formerly," said he, musing. "There was a time when the blast of a trumpet, or even the clank of a sabre, used to set my heart thumping. Happily, however, the organ has grown steeled against even more stirring sounds; and I listened to the salute to-day, fired as it was by that imposing body, the artillery of the 'Garde Nationale,' with an equanimity truly wonderful. Apropos, my dear Burke; talk of heroism and self-devotion as you will, but show me anything to compare with the gallantry of those fellows we saw to-day on the Quai Voltaire,--a set of grocers, periwig-makers, umbrella and sausage men, with portly paunches and spectacles,--ramming down charges, sponging, loading, and firing real cannon. On my word of honor, it was fearful."
"They say his Majesty is very proud indeed of the National Guard of Paris."
"Of course he is. Look at them, and just think what must be the enthusiasm of men who will adopt a career so repugnant, not only to their fancy, but their very formation. Remember that he who runs yonder with a twenty-four pounder never handled anything heavier than a wig-block, and that the only charges of the little man beside him have been made in his day-book. By Saint Denis! the dromedary guard we had in Egypt were more at home in their saddles than the squadron who rode beside the archbishop's carriage."
"It is scarcely fair, after all," said I, half laughing, "to criticise them so severely; and the more, as I think you had some old acquaintances among them."
"Ha! you saw that, did you?" said he, smiling. "No, by Jove! I never met them before. But that _confrerie_ of soldiers--you understand--soon made us acquainted; and I saw one old fellow speaking to a very pretty girl I guessed to be his daughter, and soon cemented a small friends.h.i.+p with him: here's his card."
"His card! Why, are you to visit him?"
"Better again; I shall dine there on Monday next. Let us see how he calls himself: 'Hippolyte Pierrot, stay and corset-maker to her Majesty the Empress, No. 22 Rue du Bac,--third floor above the _entresol._'
_Diable!_ we 're high up. Unfortunately, I am scarcely intimate enough to bring a friend."
"Oh, make no excuses on that head," said I, laughing; "I really have no desire to see Monsieur Hippolyte Pierrot's _menage_. And now, what are your engagements for this evening? Are you for the Opera?"
"I don't well know," said he, pausing. "Madame Caulaincourt receives, and of course expects to see our gay jackets in her _salon_ any time before or after supper. Then there's the Comtesse de Nevers: I never go there without meeting my tailor; the fellow's a spy of the police, and a confectioner to boot, and he serves the ices, and reports the conversations in the Place Vendome and that side of the Rue St.
Honore,--I couldn't take a gla.s.s of lemonade without being dunned. Then, in the Faubourg I must go in plain clothes,--they would not let the 'livery of the Usurper' pa.s.s the porter's lodge; besides, they worry one with their enthusiastic joy or grief,--as the last letter from England mentions whether the Comte d'Artois has eaten too many oysters, or found London beer too strong for him."
"From all which I guess that you are indisposed to stir."
"I believe that is about the fact. Truth is, Burke, there is only one soiree in all Paris I 'd take the trouble to dress for this evening; and, strange enough, it's the only house where I don't know the people.
He is a commissary-general, or a 'fournisseur' of some kind or other of the army; always from home, they say; with a wife who was once, and a daughter who is now, exceeding pretty; keeps a splendid house; and,
"And the name?"
"Oh, a very plausible name, I a.s.sure you. Lacostellerie,--Madame la Comtesse de Lacostellerie."
"By Jove! you remind me I have letters for her,--a circ.u.mstance I had totally forgotten, though it was coupled with a commission."
"A letter! Why, nothing was ever so fortunate. Don't lose a moment; you have just time to leave it, with your card, 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 d.u.c.h.esne, 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
d.u.c.h.esne 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 cla.s.s of political opinion. Standing equally aloof from the old regime and the members of the Jacobin party, her receptions were a kind of neutral territory, where each could come without compromise of dignity: for already, except among the most starched adherents of the Bourbons, few of whom remained in France, there was a growing spirit to side with the Napoleonists in preference to the revolutionary section; while the latter, with all their pretensions to simplicity and primitive tastes, felt no little pride in mixing with the very aristocracy they so loudly inveighed against. Besides all this, wealth had its prestige. Never, in the palmiest days of the royalty, were entertainments of greater splendor; and the Legitimists, however disposed to be critical on the company, could afford to be just regarding the cuisine,--the luxury of these modern dinners eclipsing the most costly displays of former times, where hereditary rank and ancient n.o.bility contributed to adorn the scene.
And, lastly, the admixture of every grade and cla.s.s extended the field of conversational agreeability, throwing in new elements and eliciting new features in a society where peers, actors, poets, bankers, painters, soldiers, speculators, journalists, and adventurers were confusedly mixed together; making, as it were, a common fund of their principles and their prejudices, and starting anew in life with what they could seize in the scramble.
After following the long line of carriages for above an hour, we at last turned into a large courtyard, lit up almost to the brightness of day.
Here the equipages of many of the ministers were standing,--a privilege accorded to them above the other guests. I recognized among the number the splendid liveries of Decres; and the stately carriage of Talleyrand, whose household always proclaimed itself as belonging to a "seigneur"
of the oldest blood of France,--the most perfect type of a highbred gentleman. Our progress from the vestibule to the stairs was a slow one.
The double current of those pressing upwards and downwards delayed us long; and at last we reached a s.p.a.cious antechamber, where even greater numbers stood awaiting their turn, if happily it should come, to move forward.
While here, the names of those announced conveyed tous a fair impression of the whole company. Among the first was Le General Junot, Berthollet (the celebrated chemist), Lafayette, Monges, Daru, Comte de Mailles (a Legitimist n.o.ble), David (the regicide), the Amba.s.sador of Prussia, M. Pasquier, Talma. Such were the names we heard following in quick succession; when suddenly an avenue was opened by a master of the ceremonies before me, who read from my card the words, "Le Capitaine Burke, officier d'elite; le Chevalier d.u.c.h.esne, presente par lui." And advancing within the doorway, I found myself opposite a very handsome woman, whose brilliant dress and blaze of diamonds concealed any ravages time might have made upon her beauty.
She was conversing with the Arch-Chancellor, Cambaceres, when my name was announced; and turning rapidly round, touched my arm with her bouquet, as she said, with a most gracious smile,--
"I am but too much flattered to see you on so short an invitation; but M. de Tascher's note led me to hope I might presume so far. Your friend, I believe?"
"I have taken the great liberty--"
"Indeed, Madame la Comtesse," said d.u.c.h.esne, interrupting, "I must exculpate my friend here. This intrusion rests on my own head, and has no other apology than my long cherished wish to pay my homage to the most distinguished ornament of the Parisian world."
As he spoke, the quiet flow of his words, and the low deferential bow with which he accompanied them, completely divested his speech of its tone of gross flattery, and merely made it seem a very fitting and appropriate expression.
"This would be a very high compliment, indeed," replied Madame de Lacostellerie, with a flush of evident pleasure on her cheek, "had it even come from one less known than the Chevalier d.u.c.h.esne. I hope the d.u.c.h.esse de Montserrat is well,--your aunt, if I mistake not?" "Yes, Madame," said he, "in excellent health; it will afford her great pleasure when I inform her of your polite inquiry."
Another announcement now compelled us to follow the current in front, which I was well content to do, and escape from an interchange of fine speeches, of whose sincerity, on one side at least, I had very strong misgivings.
"So, then, the comtesse is acquainted with your family?" said I, in a whisper.