The Parisians, Book 5.

es. She held a high post among the ladies who graced the brilliant court of the Empress. S

e effigies of the late duke's father-the gallant founder of a short-lived race figured modestly in the background. On a table of Russian malachite within the recess of the central window lay, preserved in glass cases, the baton and the sword, the epaulettes and the decorations of the brave Marshal. On the consoles and the mantelpieces stood clocks and vases of Sevres that could scarcely be eclipsed by those in the Imperial palaces. Entering the cabinet, they found the Duchesse seated at her writing-table, with a small Skye terrier, hideous in the beauty of the purest breed,

hat atrocious barbarism of a dark stain on the eyelids which has of late years been a baneful fashion; dressed,-I am a man, and cannot describe her dress; all I know is that she had the acknowledged fame of the best- dressed subject of France. As she rose from her seat there was in her look and air the unmistakable evidence of grande dame,-a fa

mile,-"all this age in Paris, and I see you for the first time. But there is joy o

rm which the Duchesse threw into her words, vo

held, "it was not sin, unless modesty be a sin, which made a rustic hesi

a rustic," cried Eng

at court, you will be terribly the mode there. Seducer!"-here she gave the Marquis a playful tap on the cheek, not in a coquettish but in a mother- like familiarity, and looking at him attentively, s

, the Breton legends; hoping that the old castle would never be spoiled by modernizing restorations; inquiring tenderly after his aunt, whom she had in her childhood once seen, and still remembered with her sweet, grave face; paused little for replies; then turned to Enguerrand with sprightl

d; it became serious, and e

; but what would they substitute,-a constitutional monarchy like the English? That is impossible with universal suffrage and without an hereditary chamber. The nearest approach to it was the monarchy of Louis Philippe,-we know how sick they became of that. A republic?-mon Dieu! composed of Republicans terrified out of their wits at each other. The moderate men, mimics of the Girondins, with the Reds and the Socialists and the Communists, ready to tear

h startled and profoundly affected Alain. He rem

artment in France that would elect us, if we offered ourselves. It is not our fault if the various floods of revolution leave men of our birth and opinions stra

tion. Do you not see how great a help it is to both throne and nation when that section of public opinion which is represented by names illustrious in history, identified with records of chivalrous deeds and loyal devotion, rallies round the order established? Let tha

reign bayonets, reigning as a disciple of Voltaire might reign, secretly scoffing alike at the royalty and the religion which were crowned in his person, dies peacefully in his bed. Charles X., redeeming the errors of his youth by a reign untarnished by a vice, by a religion earnest and sincere, is sent into exile for defending established order from the very inroads which you lament. He leaves an

because you cannot embody it in the person of an individual utterly insignificant in himself? In a word, if you prefer monarchy to the hazard of republicanism for such a country as France, accept the monarchy you find, since it is quite clear you cannot rebuild the monarchy you would prefer. Does it not embrace all the great objects for which you call yourself Legitimist? Under it religion is honoured, a national Church secured, in reality if not in name; under it you have united the votes of millions to the establishment of the throne; under it all the material interests of the country, commercial, agricultural, have advanced with an unequalled rapidity of progress; under it Paris has become the wonder of the world for riches, for splendour, for grace and beauty; under it the old traditional enemies of France have been humbled and rendered impotent. The policy of Richelieu has been achieved in the abasement of Austria; the policy of Napoleon I

fail to discover what the emperor's throne could possibly gain by a few powerles

strengthened and adorned. But I do not here invoke your aid merely to this monarchy, my cousin; I demand your devotion to the interests of France; I demand that you should not rest an ou

tments; even in that of the army, which apparently is so heeded and cared for. I agree with you that France is in danger, and may need the swords of all her better sons, whether against the foreigner or against her worst enemies,-the mobs of her great towns. I myself received a military education, and but

hesse; and seeing that Alain remained silent and thoughtful, she wisely