In a Glass Darkly, v. 2/3

oying all that was enjoyable in the French capital. You may easily suppose how two days were

hat the masquerade ball was fixed for the next Wed

I was so afraid I sho

and menacing look which I did not understand,

Beckett be good eno

h: I had made an engagement for that evening with two

ead of trying to learn something of the people you visit, and pretend to study, you are guzzling, and swearing, and smoking with one a

y, and looked as if he

ase. I suppose I shall have my trouble for my pains; but it is not usual when a man, such as

tonishingly

gly a breach of good-breeding, according to French ideas, which almo

d to make my apologies, and to propitiate the chance f

ily entangled myself; that I had spoken with too little reflection, and that I certainly

sure, your goodnature will pardon. Those who know me a little better are aware that I sometimes say a good deal more than I intend; and am always sorry when I

he Belle Etoile, and extended his hand, wh

rel had left us on

e hotel at Versailles, as a rush would be made to take th

rquis d'Harmonville bid me good-night, and ran down the stairs with his handkerchief to his mo

of the Hotel de France, it was plain that I was not a m

shing my way among the horses. The hall was full of servants and gentlemen screaming to the proprietor, who, in a state of

e and drove, at my horses' best pace, to the Hotel du Reservoir. The blockade about this door was as complete as the other. The result was the same. It was very provoking, but what was to be done

ut, this accomplished, how were we to get on? There were carriages in front, and

g the narrow strip of roadway left open at the other side, a barouche in which I was certain I recognized the veiled Countess and her husband. This carri

o relying on tactique. I dashed across the back seat of a carriage which was next mine, I don't know how; tumbled through a sort of gig, in which an old gentleman and a dog were dozing; stepped with an incoherent apology over the side

ed. Fortunately, the interesting barouche had passed before the catastrophe, and covered as I was with dust,

and in the midst of these, while endeavouring to beat the dust from my clothes with

a carriage-window. It was a welcome sigh

ither of the hotels; and I can add that there is not a room to let in the whole town. But I have managed somet

sely-packed carriages had just oc

d the Marquis having said a word to his

knowing how things were here, I secured a room for you. It is only a mile away, and an old comfortable inn,

when we found ourselves upon a narrow old road, with the woods of Versailles o

probably, as the wall bore many carved shields and supporters, of distinction also. A kind of porch, less ancient than the rest, projected hospitably with a wide and florid arch, over which, cut in high relief in stone, and painted and gilded,

l take my advice, and go in a domino. I think I shall look in; and certainly, if I do, in the same costume. How shall we recognize one another? Let me see, something held in the fingers-a flower won't do, so many people will have flowers. Suppose you get a red cross a couple of inches long-you're an Englishman-stitched or pinned on the breast of your domino, and I a white one? Yes, that will do very well; and

road; I shut the carriage-door; b