第6章

Itisimpossibleinfeebleprosetogiveanyideaoftheimpressionthoselinesproduceinthestupendoustheatre，packedtoitsutmostlimits—thewildnight，withastormintheair，astagewhichseemslikeaclearinginsomeforestinhabitedbyTitans，theterribletragedyofAEschylusfollowingthegracefulfeteofApollo。

Aftertheunavoidableconfusionatthebeginning，thevastaudiencelisteninprofoundsilencetoanexpressionofpureart。Theyarenolongeractorswehear，butdemi—gods。Withvoicesofthestorm，possessedbysomedivineafflatus，thunderingoutversesoffire—carriedoutofthemselvesinawhirlwindofpassion，likeantiqueprophetsandSibylsforetellingthemisfortunesoftheworld！

Thatnightwillremainimmutablyfixedinmymemory，ifIlivetobeasoldasthetheatreitself。Weweresomoved，mycompanionandI，andhadseenthecrowdsomoved，thatfearingtoeffacetheimpressionifwereturnedthesecondnighttoseeANTIGONE，wecamequietlyaway，ponderingoveritall，andrealizingonceagainthatathingofbeautyisasourceofeternaldelight。

Chapter26—Pre—palatialNewportTHEhistoricOceanHouseofNewportisaruin。Flameshavelaidlowtheunsightlystructurethatwasatonetimethebest—knownhotelinAmerica。Itsfifty—oddyearsofexistence，aswellasitsday，areover。Havingservedapurpose，ithasdeparted，togetherwiththegenerationandhabitsoflifethatproducedit，intothelimbowhereoldhouses，oldcustoms，andsuperannuatedideassurvive，—thememoryofthefewwholiketorecallotherdaysandwanderfromtimetotimeinareconstructedpast。

Therewasacertainappropriatenessinthemannerofitstakingoff。Theproudoldstructurehaddoubtlessheardprojectsofrebuildingdiscussedbyitsowners（whoforsomeyearshadbeenthreateningtotearitdown）；woundeddoubtlessbyunflatteringtruths，thehoteldecidedthatifitsdayswerenumbered，anexitworthyofaleadingrolewasatleastpossible。"Pullmedown，indeed！Thatisallverywellforordinaryhostleries，butfromanestablishmentofmypretensions，thathasreceivedthearistocracyofthecountry，andcountlessforeignswells，somethingmoreisexpected！"

Soitturnedthematteroveranddebatedwithinitsshakyoldbrain（Mrs。Skewtonfashion）whatwouldbethemostbecomingandeffectivewayofretiringfromthesocialwhirl。Ballshavebeenoverdone；peoplearenolongertemptedbyreceptions；abanquetwasoutofthequestion。Suddenlythewilybuildinghitonanidea。"I’llgivethemaFEU

D’ARTIFICE。Therehasn’tbeenafirst—classfireheresinceI

burnedmyselfdownfifty—threeyearsago！Thatkindofentertainmenthasn’tbeenrunintothegroundlikeeverythingelseinthesedegeneratedays！I’lldoitinthebestandmostcompleteway，andgiveNewportsomethingtotalkabout，whenevermynameshallbementionedinthefuture！"

Daudet，inhisL’IMMORTEL，showsushowsomepeoplearebornlucky。His"LoiseloftheInstitute，"althoughaninsignificantandcommonplaceman，succeededallthroughlifeinkeepinghimselfbeforethepublic，andgettingtalkedaboutasacelebrity。Heevenarranged（tothedisgustandenvyofhisrivals）todieduringaweekwhennoeventofimportancewasoccupyingpublicattention。Inconsequence，reporters，beingshortof"copy，"owingtoadearthofmurdersand"firstnights，"seizedonthisdemiseandmadehisfuneralanevent。

Thetruthis，theOceanHousehadlivedsolonginanatmosphereofostentatiousworldlinessthat，likemanyresidentsofthesummercity，ithadcometotakeitselfandits"position"seriously，andimaginethattheeyesofthecountrywerefixeduponandexpectedsomethingofit。

TheairofNewporthasalwaysprovedfataltobighotels。Oneafteranothertheyhaveappearedandfailed，theOceanHousealonedraggingoutaforlornexistence。Astheflamesworkedtheirwillandthecarelesscrowdenjoyedthespectacle，onecouldnothelpfeelingavagueregretfortheoldplace，moreforwhatitrepresentedthanforanyintrinsicvalueofitsown。Withoutgreatlystretchingapointitmightbetakentorepresentasocialcondition，aphase，asitwere，inourdevelopment。Inacertainobscureway，itwasanepoch—

markingstructure。ItsbuildingclosedtheeraofprimitiveNewport，itsdeclinecorrespondedwiththeendofthepre—

palatialperiod—aneraextendingfrom1845to1885。

DuringfortyyearsNewporthadauniqueexistence，unknowntotherestofAmerica，anddestinedtohavealastinginfluenceonherways，anexistencenowascompletelyforgottenastheearlierboarding—houseMATINEEDANSANTEtime。*Thesixties，seventies，andeightiesinNewportwerepleasantyearsthatmanyofusregretinspiteofmodernprogress。Simple，inexpensivedays，whenpeopledinedatthree（lookingonthenewlyintroducedsixo’clockdinnersasanEnglishinnovationandmodern"frill"），and"high—teaed"togetherdyspepticallyoff"sallylunns"and"preserves，"washeddownbycoffeeandchocolate，whichitwasthetoilsomedutyofahostesstodispensefromasilver—ladentray；dayswhen"rockaways"drawnbylean，long—tailedhorsesanddrivenbymustacheddarkieswere，ifnottherule，farfrombeinganexception。

*"NewportofthePast，"WORLDLYWAYSANDBY—WAYS。

"Dutchtreat"picnics，anotherarchaicamusement，flourishedthen，directedbyafamousorganizerathisfarm，eachguestbeingtoldwhatshareoftheeatablesitwashisdutytoprovide，anedictfromwhichtherewasnoappeal。

Sportwaslittleknownthen，youngmenpassingtheirafternoonstoolingsolemnlyupanddownBellevueAvenueintop—hatsandblackfrock—coatsundertheburningAugustsun。

ThiswastheepochwhentheTownandCountryClubwasyoungandfullofvigor。Wemetateachother’shousesorathistoricsitestohearpapersreadonserioussubjects。Oneparticularafternoonisvividinmymemory。WehadalldrivenouttoapointontheshorebeyondtheThirdBeach，wheretheNorsemenweresupposedtohavelandedduringtheirapocryphalvisittothiscontinent。Ithadbeenahotdrive，butwhenwestopped，akeenwindwasblowinginfromthesea。Duringapauseintheprolixaddressthatfollowed，acoachman’svoicewasheardtomutter，"Ifhejawsmuchlongerallthehorseswillbefoundered，"whichbroughtthelearnedaddresstoanignominiousandhastytermination。

Newportduringthepre—palatialeraaffectedculture，andawhiffofBostonpervadedtheair，muchofwhichwastiresome，yetwithanunder—currentofcharmandrefinement。ThosewhohadtheprivilegeofknowingMrs。JuliaWardHowe，willrememberthepleasant"teas"andsparklingconversationsheofferedherguestsintheunpretendingcottagewherethebeautyofthedaughterwasasbrilliantasthemother’swit。

TwoestatesonBellevueAvenuearenowwithoutthehostesseswho，inthosedays，showedtheworldwhatgreatladiesAmericacouldproduce。Itwastheforeign—bornhusbandofoneofthesewomenwhogaveNewportitsfirstlessonsinluxuriousliving。UntilthenAmericanshadtravelledabroadandseenelaboratelyservedmealsandproperlyappointedstableswithouttheambitionofcopyingsuchthingsathome。Colonialandrevolutionarystatehaddiedout，andmodernextravagancehadnotyetappeared。Intheinterregnummuchwasneglectedthatmighthaveaddedtotheconvenienceandgraceoflife。

InFrance，underLouisPhilippe，andinEngland，duringVictoria’syouth，tastereachedanebbtide；inneitherofthosecountries，however，didthegeneralstandardfallsolowashere。ItwasowingtotheSAVOIRFAIREofonemanthatNewportersandNewYorkfirstsawathomewhattheyhadadmiredabroad，—liveriedservantsinsufficientnumbers，dinnersservedALARUSSE，andbreechedandbootedgroomsonEnglish—builttraps，innovationsquicklyfollowedbyhisneighbors，forthemostmarkedcharacteristicoftheAmericanishisabilityto"catchon。"

When，duringthewarofthesecession，ourNavalAcademywasremovedfromAnnapolisandinstalledintheemptyAtlanticHouse（cornerofBellevueAvenueandPelhamStreet），hotellifehadalreadybeguntodecline；buttheOceanHouse，whichwasconsideredavastenterpriseatthattime，inheritedfromtheolderhotelsthecustomofgivingSaturdayevening"hops，"

thecottagersarrivingattheseinformalentertainmentstowardnineo’clockandpromenadingupanddownthecorridorsordancingintheparlor，totheadmirationofapubliccollectedtoenjoythespectacle。Ateleventhedoorsofthedining—

roomopened，andalineofwell—drilleddarkiespassedicesandlemonade。Byhalf—pasteleven（thehouratwhichwenowarriveatadance）everyonewasathomeandabed。

Onerememberswithashudderthemilitarymanoeuvresthatattendedhotelmealsinthosedays，themarchingandcountermarching，yourdinnercoolingwhiletheheadwaiterreviewedhismen。Thatidioticcustomhasbeenabandoned，likemanybetterandworse。NexttotheAmericanabilitytocatchoncomesthefacilitywithwhichhecandropafad。

InthispeculiaritythehistoryofNewporthasbeenanepitomeofthecountry，everyformofamusementbeinginturntakenup，runintotheground，andthenabandoned。AtonetimeitwasthefashiontodrivetoFortAdamsofanafternoonandcircleroundandroundthelittlegreentothesoundsofamilitaryband；then，fornovisiblereason，peopletooktodrivingontheThirdBeach，aninaccessibleandlonelypointwhichfortwoorthreesummerswasconsideredtheonlycorrectpromenade。

Iblushtorecallit，butatthattimemostoftheturnoutswerehiredhacks。Next，GravesPoint，ontheOceanDrive，becamethepopularmeeting—place。Thensocietytooktoattendingpoloofanafternoon，asportjustintroducedfromIndia。ThiseracorrespondedwiththeopeningoftheCasino（theoldreading—roomdatingfrom1854）。ForseveralyearseveryonecrowdedduringhotAugustmorningsontotheairlesslawnsandpiazzasofthenewestablishment。Itseemsonlookingbackasifwemusthavebeenmorefondofseeingeachotherinthosedaysthanwearenow。Torideupanddownabeachandbowfilledoursoulswithjoy，andthe"cakewalk"

wasanessentialpartofeveryball，theguestsparadinginpairsroundandroundtheroombetweenthedancesinsteadofsittingquietly"out。"TheopeningpromenadeattheNewYorkCharityBallisasurvivalofthisinanecustom。

ThedisappearanceoftheOceanHouse"hops"markedthelaststageinhotellife。Sincethenbetter—classwateringplacesalloverthecountryhaveslowlybutsurelyfollowedNewport’slead。TheclosedcaravansariesofBarHarborandelsewherebearsilenttestimonytothefactthatrefinedAmericansareatlastawakeningtothecharmsofhomelifeduringtheirholidays，andarediscarding，asfastasfinanceswillpermit，theperniciousherdingsystem。Inconsequencethehotelhasceasedtobe，whatitundoubtedlywastwentyyearsago，thefocusofoursummerlife。

OnlyafewcharredraftersremainoftheOceanHouse。Afewtalkativeolddufferslikemyselfalonesurvivethedayitrepresents。Changingsocialconditionshavegraduallyplacedbothontheretiredlist。AnewandpalatialNewporthasreplacedthesimplercity。Letusnotwastetoomuchtimeregrettingthepast，orbetoosurethatitwasbetterthanthepresent。Itisquitepossible，iftheoldtimeswearewritingsofondlyaboutshouldreturn，wemightdiscoverthatthesamethingwastrueofthemasaraggedurchinassertedtheotherafternoonoftheburningbuilding：

"Say，Tom，didyeknowtherewasthebiggestroomintheworldinthathotel？"

"No；whatroom？"

"Roomforimprovement，ya！"

Chapter27—SARDOUatMarly—le—RoyNEARthecentreofthatverdanttriangleformedbySaintCloud，Versailles，andSaintGermainliesthevillageofMarly—le—Roy，highuponaslopeabovethelazySeine—anentrancingcorneroftheearth，muchaffectedformerlybyFrenchcrownedheads，andbythe"SunKing"inparticular，whoinhisoldagegrewtiredofVersaillesandbuilthereoneofhismanyvillas（therivalinitsdayoftheTrianons），andproceededtoamusehimselfthereinwiththesamesolemnitywhichhadalreadymadeviceatVersaillesmoreboresomethanvirtueelsewhere。

Twocenturiesandfourrevolutionshavesweptawayalltraceofthiskinglycapriceandthearttreasuresitcontained。

Alone，themarblehorsesofCoustou，transportedlatertotheChampsElysees，remaintoattestthesplendorofthepast。

ThequaintvillageofMarly，clusteredarounditschurch，stands，however—withthefacultythatinsignificantthingshaveofremainingunchanged—asitdidwhenthemostpolishedcourtofEuroperodethroughittoandfromthehunt。Ontheoutskirtsofthisvillagearenowtwoforgedandgildedgatewaysthroughwhichthepasser—bycancatchaglimpseoftrimavenues，fountains，andwell—keptlawns。

ThereseemsacertainpoeticaljusticeinthefactthatAlexandreDumasFILSandVictorienSardou，thetwogiantsofmoderndrama，shouldhavedividedbetweenthemtheinheritanceofLouisXIV。，itsgreatestpatron。Oneofthegatesisclosedandmoss—grown。ItsownerliesinPere—la—Chaise。AttheotherIring，andamsoonwalkingupthefamousavenueborderedbycolossalsphinxespresentedtoSardoubythelateKhedive。Thebigstonebrutes，connectedinone’smindwithheatandsandywastes，lookoddlyoutofplacehereinthisgreenwilderness—abite，asitwere，outoftheforestwhich，underdifferentnames，lieslikeamantleoverthecountry—side。

FiveminuteslaterIambeingshownthroughasuiteofantiquesalons，inthelastofwhichsitsthegreatplaywright。HowstrikingthelikenessistoVoltaire，—thesamedelicateface，litbyahalfcordial，halfmockingsmile；thesamefragilebodyandindomitablespirit。Theillusionisenhancedbyoursurroundings，forthemellowsplendoroftheroomwherewestandmighthaveservedasabackgroundfortheSageofFerney。

Whereveronelooks，worksofeighteenth—centuryartmeettheeye。ThewallsarehungwithGobelintapestriesthatfairlytakeone’sbreathaway，soexquisiteistheirdesignandtheirpreservation。Theyrepresentamarblecolonnade，eachcolumnofwhichiswreathedwithflowersandconnectedtoitsneighborwithgarlands。

Betweenthemarebitsofdelicatelandscape，withhereandthereagroupoffiguresdancingorpicnickingintheshadowoftalltreesorunderfantasticalporticos。Thefurnitureoftheroomisnolessmarvellousthanitshangings。Oneturnsfromaharpsichordofvernis—martintotheclock，arelicfromLouisXIV。’sbedroominVersailles；ontothebric—a—bracofoldSaxeorSevresinadmiringwonder。Myhostdriftsintohisshowmanmanner，irresistiblycomicinthiswriter。

Thepleasuresofthecollectorareapparentlydividedintothreephases，withoutcountingtheraptureofthehunt。

First，thedelightatrueamateurtakesinlivingamongrareandbeautifulthings。Second，thesatisfactionofshowingone’streasurestolessfortunatemortals，andlast，butperhapskeenestofall，thepridewhichcomesfromthefactthatonehasbeencleverenoughtoacquireobjectswhichotherpeoplewant，atpricesbelowtheirmarketvalue。Sardouevidentlyenjoysthesethreesensationsvividly。Thatheliveswithandloveshispossessionsisevident，andthesmilewithwhichhecallsyourattentiontoonepieceafteranother，andmentionswhattheycosthim，atteststhatthetwootherjoysarenotunknowntohim。Heisoldenoughtorememberthegoldenagewhenreallygoodthingsweretobepickedupformodestsums，beforeeveryparvenuconsidereditnecessarytoturnhishouseintoamuseum，andfactoriesexistedfortheproductionof"antiques"tobesoldtoinnocentamateurs。

Incallingattentiontoasetofcarvedandgildedfurniture，coveredinBeauvaistapestry，suchassoldrecentlyinParisattheValencaysale—Talleyrandcollection—forsixtythousanddollars，Sardoumentionswithalaughthathegothisfifteenpiecesforfifteenhundreddollars，theyearafterthewar，fromanoldchateaubackofCannes！Oneuniquepieceoftapestryhadcosthimlessthanone—tenthofthatsum。Hediscovereditinapeasant’sstableunderatwo—footlayerofstrawandearth，whereithadprobablybeenhiddenahundredyearsbeforebyitsowner，andthenallrecordofitlostbyhisdescendants。

ThementionofCannessetsSardouoffonanothertrainofthought。Hisfamilyforthreegenerationshavelivedthere。

BeforethattheywereSardinianfishermen。Hisgreat—

grandfather，heimagines，wasdrivenbysometempesttotheshorenearCannesandsettledwherehefoundhimself。Hencethename！ForinthepatoisofProvencalFranceaninhabitantofSardiniaisstillcalledUNSARDOU。

Thesunisoffthefrontofthehousebythistime，sowemigratetoashadycornerofthelawnforourAPERITIF，theinevitablevermouthor"bitters"whichFrenchmentakeatfiveo’clock。Hereanothersurpriseawaitsthevisitor，whohasnotrealized，perhaps，towhathighgroundthecrawlinglocaltrainhasbroughthim。Atourfeet，farbelowthelawnandshadetreesthatencirclethechateau，liestheSeine，twistingawaytowardSaintGermain，whoseterraceanddismantledpalacestandoutlinedagainstthesky。ToourrightistheplainofSaintDenis，thecathedralinitsmidstlookinglikeanopera—glassonagreentable。Furtherstilltotheright，asoneturnsthecorneroftheterrace，liesParis，awhitelineonthehorizon，brokenbythemassoftheArcdeTriomphe，theroofoftheOpera，andtheEiffelTower，resplendentinafreshcoatofyellowlacquer！

ThegroundwherewestandwasoccupiedbythefeudalcastleofLesSiresdeMarly；althoughalltracesofthatstrongholddisappearedcenturiesago，thepresentownerofthelandpointsoutwithpridethattheextraordinarybeautyofthetreesaroundhishouseisowingtothefactthattheirrootsreachdeepdowntotherichloamcollectedduringcenturiesinthecastle’smoat。

Thelittlechateauitself，builtduringthereignofLouisXIV。fortheGRAND—VENEURoftheforestofMarly，isintenselyFrenchintype，—along，lowbuildingonastoneterrace，withnotraceofornamentaboutitswhitefacadeoronitsslantingroof。Inside，alltheroomsare"front，"

communicatingwitheachotherENSUITE，andopenintoacorridorrunningthelengthofthebuildingattheback，which，inturn，opensonastonecourt。Twolateralwingsatrightanglestothemainbuildingformthesidesofthiscourtyard，andcontainLESCOMMUNS，thekitchen，laundry，servants’rooms，andtheotherannexesofalargeestablishment。ThisarrangementforasummerhouseisforsomereasonneglectedbyourAmericanarchitects。IcanrecallonlyonehomeinAmericabuiltonthisplan。ItisGiraudFoster’sbeautifulvillaatLenox。YoumayvisitfivehundredFrenchchateauxandnotfindonethatdiffersmateriallyfromthisplan。TheAmericanideaseemsonthecontrarytobeasquarehousewitharoomineachcorner，andalltheservants’quartersstowedawayinabasement。Cottageandpalacegoonreproducingthatfoolishandinconvenientarrangementindefinitely。

Afteranhour’schatoverourdrinks，duringhosthasrippledonfromonesubjecttoanotherwiththelightnessoftouchofaborntalker，wegetontothesubjectofthegrounds，andhisplansfortheirimprovement。

GoodluckhasplacedinSardou’shandsanoldmapofthegardensastheyexistedinthetimeofLouisXV。，andseveralprintsofthechateaudatingfromaboutthesameepochhavefoundtheirwayintohisportfolios。Thegroundsare，underhiscare，slowlyresumingtheappearanceofformerdays。Oldavenuesreopen，statuesreappearonthedisusedpedestals，fountainsplayagain，andclippedhedgesoncemorelineouttheterracedwalks。

Inordertoexplainhowcompletethisworkwillbeintime，Sardouhurriesmeofftoinspectanotherpartofhiscollection。Downpastthestables，inanunusedcornerofthegrounds，longshedshavebeenerected，underwhichisstoredthedebrisofadozenpalaces，anassortmentofeighteenth—

centuryartthatcouldnotbeduplicatedeveninFrance。

OneshedsheltersanentiresemicircleofTREILLAGE，pureLouisXV。，anexquisiteexampleofalostart。Columns，domes，panels，arepackedawayinstrawawaitingresurrectioninsomecornerhereaftertobechosen。Adozenseatsinrose—

coloredmarblefromFontainebleauarehuddledtogethernearbyincompanywitharowofgiganticmarblemasquesbroughtoriginallyfromItalytodecorateFouquet’sfountainsathischateauofVauxintheshortdayofitsglory。Justhowthislatterfindistobeutilizedtheirownerhasnotyetdecided。

Theproblem，however，tojudgefromhismanner，isasimportanttothegreatplaywrightastheplotofhisnextdrama。

ThatthebloodofanantiquarianrunsinSardou’sveinsisevidentinthesubduedexcitementwithwhichheshowsyouhispossessions—statuesfromVersailles，forgedgatesandbalconiesfromSaintCloud，thecarvedandgildedwood—workforadozenroomsculledfromthefourcornersofFrance。

Likethetruedramatist，hehas，however，kepthisfinesteffectforthelast。Inthecentreofacircularrosegardennearbystands，aloneinitsbeauty，acolumnfromthefacadeoftheTuileries，asperfectfrombasetoflower—crownedcapitalaswhenPhilibertDelorme’sworkmenlaiddowntheirtools。

YearsagoSardoubefriendedayoungstonemason，whothroughthistimelyaidprospered，and，becominglaterarichbuilder，receivedin1882fromthecityofParisthecontracttoteardowntheburnedruinsoftheTuileries。Whileinspectingthepalacebeforebeginningtheworkofdemolition，hediscoveredonecolumnthathadbyacuriouschanceescapedboththeflamesoftheCommuneandthepatrioticardorof1793，whicheffacedallroyalemblemsfromchurchandpalacealike。

Rememberinghisbenefactor’sloveforantiquitieswithhistoricalassociations，thegratefulcontractorappearedonedayatMarlywiththiscolumnonadray，andinsistedonerectingitwhereitnowstands，pointingouttoSardouwithpridethecrowned"H，"ofHenriQuatre，andtheentwined"M。

M。"ofMariedeMedicis，toppedbytheFlorentinelilyintheflutingsoftheshaftandonthecapital。

AquestionofmineonSardou’smannerofworkingledtoourabandoningthegardensandmountingtothetopfloorofthechateau，wherehisenormouslibraryandcollectionofprintsarestoredinaseriesoflittleroomsoralcoves，lightedfromthetopandopeningonacorridorwhichrunsthelengthofthebuilding。Ineachroomstandsawriting—tableandachair；aroundthewallsfromfloortoceilingandinhugeportfoliosarearrangedhisbooksandengravingsaccordingtotheirsubject。TheEmpirealcove，forinstance，containsnothingbutpublicationsandpicturesrelatingtothatepoch。

RomanandGreekhistoryhavetheiralcoves，ashavemediaevalhistoryandthereignsofthedifferentLouis。Nothingcouldwellbeconceivedmoreconducivetostudythanthisarrangement，anditmakesonerealizehowhonestwasthemaster’sreplywhenaskedwhatwashisfavoriteamusement。

"Work！"answeredtheauthor。

Ourconversation，aswasfated，soonturnedtotheenormoussuccessofROBESPIERREinLondon—atriumphthatevenSardou’smanybrilliantvictorieshadnotyetequalled。

ItischaracteristicoftheFrenchdispositionthatneithertheauthornoranymemberofhisfamilycouldsummoncouragetoundertaketheprodigiousjourneyfromParistoLondoninordertoseethefirstperformance。EvenSardou’sbusinessagent，M。Roget，didnotgetfurtherthanCalais，wherehiscouragegaveout。"Theseawassoterrible！"Boththosegentlemen，however，tookitquiteasamatterofcoursethatSardou’sAmericanagentshouldmakeathree—thousand—milejourneytobepresentatthefirstnight。

ThefactthattheFrenchauthorresistedSirHenryIrving’spressinginvitationstovisithiminnowayindicatesalackofinterestinthesuccessoftheplay。IhadjustarrivedfromLondon，andsohadtogointoeverydetailoftheperformance，aratherdelicatetask，asIhadbeendiscouragedwiththeactingofbothMissTerryandIrving，whohaveneitherofthemtheage，voice，nortemperamenttorepresenteithertherevolutionarytyrantorthewomanhebetrayed。Asthestaginghadbeenexcellent，Ienlargedonthatsideofthesubject，butwhenpressedintoacornerbytheauthor，hadtoacknowledgethatinthescenewhereRobespierre，aloneatmidnightintheConciergerie，seesthephantomsofhisvictimsadvancefromthesurroundingshadowsandformamenacingcirclearoundhim，Irvinghadusedhispoorvoicewithsolittleskillthattherewaslittleleftforthesplendidclimax，when，intryingtoescapefromhisghastlyvisitors，RobespierrefindshimselffacetofacewithMarieAntoinette，andwithawildcry，halfofhorror，halfofremorse，fallsbackinsensible。

Inspiteofpreviousgoodresolutions，ImusthavegiventheauthortheimpressionthatSirHenryspoketooloudatthebeginningofthissceneandwasinconsequenceinadequateattheend。

"What！"criedSardou。"Heraisedhisvoiceinthatact！Why，it’sascenetobeplayedwiththesoftpedaldown！Thisisthewayitshouldbedone！"DroppingintoachairinthemiddleoftheroommyhostbeganmimingthegesturesandexpressionofRobespierreasthephantoms（which，afterall，arebutthefigmentsofanover—wroughtbrain）gatheraroundhim。Graduallyheslippedtothefloor，hidinghisfacewithhisupraisedelbow，whisperingandsobbing，butneverraisinghisvoiceuntil，staggeringtowardtheportaltoescape，hemeetstheQueenfacetoface。Thenthewholeforceofhisvoicecameoutinoneawfulcrythatfairlyfrozethebloodinmyveins！

"Whatateacheryouwouldmake！"instinctivelyrosetomylipsasheended。

Withacarelesslaugh，Sardouresumedhisshabbyvelvetcap，whichhadfallentothefloor，andanswered："Oh，it’snothing！Ionlywantedtoprovetoyouthatthescenewasnotafatiguingoneforthevoiceifplayedproperly。I’mnoactorandcouldnotteach，butanyoneoughttoknowenoughnottoshoutinthatscene！"

Thiswithsomebitterness，asnewshadarrivedthatIrving’svoicehadgivenoutthenightbefore，andhehadbeenreplacedbyhishalf—bakedsoninthetitlerole，achangehardlycalculatedtoincreaseeitherthebox—officereceiptsorthesuccessofthenewdrama。

Certainominousshadowswhich，likeRobespierre’svisions，hadbeenforsometimegatheringinthecornersoftheroomwarnedmethatthehourhadcomeformytripbacktoParis。

Decliningreluctantlyaninvitationtotakepotluckwithmyhost，IwassoonintheAvenueoftheSphinxagain。Aswestrolledalong，talkingofthepastanditscharm，acoupleofmenpassedus，carryingapieceoffurniturerolledinburlaps。

"Anotheracquisition？"Iasked。"Whatepochhastemptedyouthistime？"

"I’msorryyouwon’tstopandinspectit，"answeredSardouwithatwinkleinhiseye。"It’ssomethingIboughtyesterdayformybedroom。Anarmchair！PureLoubet！"

Chapter28—InconsistenciesTHEdinnerhadbeenunusuallylongandthesummereveningwarm。DuringthewaitbeforethedancingbeganImusthavedroppedasleepinthedarkcornerofthepiazzawhereIhadinstalledmyself，tosmokemycigar，awayfromtheothermenandtheirtiresomechatterofgolfandracing。Throughtheopenwindowgroupsofwomencouldbeseenintheball—room，andthemurmuroftheirconversationfloatedout，minglingwiththelaughterofthemen。

Suddenly，inthatcasualwaypeculiartodreams，IfoundmyselfconversingwithasolemnyoungTurk，standinginallthesplendoroffezandstamboulinebesidemychair。

"Pardon，Effendi，"hewasmurmuring。"IsthisanAmericanball？Iwasaskedatnineo’clock；itisnowpasteleven。Istherenotsomemistake？"

"None，"Ianswered。"Whenahostessputsnineo’clockonhercardofinvitationsheexpectsherguestsatelevenorhalf—

past，andwouldbemuchembarrassedtobetakenliterally。"

Aswewerespeaking，ourhostrose。Themen，reluctantlythrowingawaytheircigars，begantoentertheball—roomthroughtheopenwindows。Ontheirapproachthegroupsofwomenbrokeup，themenjoiningthegirlswheretheysat，orinvitingthemouttothelantern—litpiazza，wherethecouplesretiredtodim，palm—emboweredcorners。

"AreyousureIhavenotmadeamistake？"askedmyinterlocutor，withafaintquiveroftheeyelids。"Itismyintention，whiletravelling，toremainfaithfultomyharem。"

Ihastenedtoreassurehimandexplainthathewasinanexclusiveandreservedsociety。

"Indeed，"hemurmuredincredulously。"WhenIwaspassingthroughNewYorklastwinteraladywaspointedouttomeastheownerofmarvellousjewelsandvastwealth，butwithabsolutelynosocialposition。Myinformantaddedthatnowell—bornwomanwouldreceiveherorherhusband。

"It’sfoolish，ofcourse，butthehandsomewomanwiththecrownonsittinginthecentreofthatcircle，looksverylikethewomanImean。AmIright？"

"It’sthesamelady，"Ianswered，wearily。"Youarespeakingoflastyear。Noonecouldbeinducedtocallonthecouplethen。Nowweallgototheirhouse，andentertaintheminreturn。"

"Theyhavedoubtlessdonesomenobleaction，orthereportsaboutthehusbandhavebeenprovedfalse？"

"Nothingofthekindhastakenplace。She’sasuccess，andnooneasksanyquestions！Inspiteofthat，youareinasocietywherethestandardofconductisheldhigherthaninanycountryofEurope，byaraceofwomenmorevirtuous，inallprobability，thanhasyetbeenseen。Thereisnotamanpresent，"Iadded，"whowouldpresumetotake，orawomanwhowouldpermit，alibertysoslightevenastherestingofayouth’sarmacrossthebackofherchair。"

WhileIwasspeaking，aninvisibleorchestrabegantosighoutthefirstpassionatebarsofawaltz。Adozencouplesrose，themenclaspingintheirarmstheslendermatrons，whosesmilingfacessanktotheirpartners’shoulders。Ablondmustachebrushedtheforeheadofagirlasshesweptbyustotherhythmofthemusic，andothercheeksseemedabouttotouchascouplesglidedoninunison。

ThesleepyOrientaleyesofmynewacquaintanceopenedwidewithastonishment。

"This，youmustunderstand，"Icontinued，hastily，"isquiteanothermatter。Thosepeoplearewaltzing。Itisconsideredperfectlyproper，whenthemusiciansoverthereplaycertainmeasures，formentotakeapparentliberties。Ourwomenareinfinitelyself—respecting，andamanwhoputhisarmaroundawoman（inpublic）whileadifferentmeasurewasbeingplayed，orwhentherewasnomusic，wouldbeostracizedfrompolitesociety。"

"Iambeginningtounderstand，"repliedtheTurk。"Thehusbandsandbrothersofthesewomenguardthemverycarefully。ThosemenIseeoutthereinthedarkaredoubtlesswiththeirwivesandsisters，protectingthemfromtheadvancesofothermen。AmIright？"

"Ofcourseyou’renotright，"Isnappedout，beginningtolosemytemperathisobtuseness。"Nohusbandwoulddreamoftalkingtohiswifeinpublic，orofsittingwithherinacorner。Everyonewouldbelaughingatthem。Norcouldasisterbeinducedtoremainawayfromtheball—roomwithherbrother。Thosegirlsare`sittingout’withyoungmentheylike，indulginginalittleinnocentflirtation。"

"Whatisthat？"heasked。"Flirtation？"

"AnAmericancustomratherdifficulttoexplain。Itmay，however，beroughlydefinedastheartofleadingamanalongwayontheroadto—nowhere！"

"Womenflirtwithfriendsoracquaintances，neverwithmembersoftheirfamily？"

"Thehusbandsarethosedejectedindividualswanderingaimlesslyaboutovertherelikelostsouls。Theyaremostlyrichmen，who，havingmarriedbeautifulgirlsforlove，wearthemselvesoutmaintainingelaborateandcostlyestablishmentsforthem。Inreturnforhislaborahusband，however，enjoysbutlittleofhiswife’ssociety，forareallyfashionablewomancanrarelybeinducedtogohomeuntilshehascollapsedwithfatigue。Inconsequence，shecontributeslittlebut`nerves’andtempertothehousehold。Hersweetestsmiles，likeherfreshesttoilets，arekeptforthepublic。ThehusbandisthelastpersonconsideredinanAmericanhousehold。IfyoudoubtwhatIsay，lookbehindyou。Thereisanewlymarriedmanspeakingwithhiswife，andtryingtopersuadehertoleavebeforethecotillionbegins。Noticehisapologeticair！Heknowsheisinterruptingatenderconversationandtakinganunwarrantableliberty。Nothingshortofextremefatiguewoulddrivehimtosuchanextremity。

ThepoormillionnairehashardlylefthisdeskinWallStreetduringtheweek，andonlyarrivedthiseveningintimetodressfordinner。Hewouldgiveafairsliceofhisincomeforanight’srest。See！Hehasfailed，andislightinganothercigar，preparing，withasigh，foralongwait。Itwillbethreebeforemyladyisreadytoleave。"

Afterasilenceofsomeminutes，duringwhichheappearedtobeturningtheseremarksoverinhismind，theyoungOrientalresumed："Thesinglemenwhoabsorbsomuchofyourwomen’stimeandattentionaredoubtlessthemostdistinguishedofthenation，—writers，poets，andstatesmen？"

Iwasobligedtoconfessthatthiswasnotthecase；that，onthecontrary，thedancingbachelorswereforthemostpartimpecuniousyouthsofabsolutelynoimportance，askedbythehostesstofillin，andsolightlyconsideredthatawomandidnotalwaysrecognizeinthestreetherguestsoftheeveningbefore。

Atthismomentmyneighbor’sexpressionchangedfrombewildermenttoadmiration，asayoungandverylovelymatronthrewherself，panting，intoalowchairathisside。Herdecolletewassodaringthatthedoubtsofhalfanhourbeforewereevidentlyrisingafreshinhismind。Hastilyresumingmytaskofmentor，Iexplainedthatadecolletecorsagewasanabsoluteruleforeveninggatherings。Awomanwhoappearedinahighbodiceorwithherneckveiledwouldbeconsideredlackinginpolitenesstoherhostessasmuchifsheworeabonnet。

"Withus，womengointotheworldtoshineandcharm。Itisonlynaturaltheyshouldusealltheweaponsnaturehasgiventhem。"

"Verygood！"exclaimedtheastonishedOttoman。"Butwherewillallthisend？Youbeganbyallowingyourwomentoappearinpublicwiththeirfacesunveiled，thenyousuppressedthefichuandthecollarette，andnowyourobthemofhalftheircorsage。Where，OAllah，willyoustop？"

"Ah！"Ianswered，laughing，"thetendencyofcivilizationistosimplify；manythingsmayyetdisappear。"

"Iunderstandperfectly。Youhavenoprejudiceagainstwomenwearinginpublictoiletsthatweconsiderfittedonlyforstrictintimacy。Inthatcaseyourladiesmaywalkaboutthestreetsinthesecostumes？"

"Notatall！"Icried。"Itwouldprovokeascandalifawomanweretobeseenduringthedaytimeinsuchattire，eitherathomeorabroad。Thepoliceandthelawcourtswouldinterfere。Eveningdressisintendedonlyforreunionsinprivatehouses，oratmost，tobewornatentertainmentswherethecompanyiscarefullyselectedandthemenaskedfromlistspreparedbytheladiesthemselves。Noladywouldwearaballcostumeorherjewelsinabuildingwherethegeneralpublicwasadmitted。InLondongreatladiesdineatrestaurantsinfulleveningdress，butweAmericans，liketheFrench，considerthatvulgar。"

"Yet，lastwinter，"hesaid，"whenpassingthroughNewYork，I

wenttoagreattheatre，wheretherewereanorchestraandmanysingingpeople。WerenotthoserespectablewomenIsawintheboxes？TherewerenoMOUCHARABIEStoscreenthemfromtheeyesofthepublic。Wereallthemeninthatbuildingaskedbyspecialinvitation？Thatcouldhardlybepossible，forIpaidanentrancefeeatthedoor。FromwhereIsatI

couldseethat，aseachladyenteredherbox，opera—glasseswerefixedonher，andher`points，’asyousay，discussedbythecrowdofmeninthecorridors，who，apparently，belongedtoquitethemiddleclass。"

"Mypoor，innocentPadischa，youdonotunderstandatall。

Thatwastheopera，whichmakesallthedifference。Thehusbandsofthosewomenpayenormousprices，expresslythattheirwivesmayexhibitthemselvesinpublic，deckedinjewelsandsuggestivetoilets。YoucouldbuyawholeharemoffairCircassiansforwhatoneofthoselittlesquareboxescosts。

Aladywhoseentrancecausednosensationwouldfeelbitterlydisappointed。Asarule，sheknowslittleaboutmusic，andcaresstillless，unlesssomesingerisperformingwhoispaidafabulousprice，whichgiveshisnotesapeculiarcharm。

Withusmostthingsarevaluedbythemoneytheyhavecost。

Ladiesattendtheoperasimplyandsolelytoseetheirfriendsandbeadmired。

"Itgrievesmetoseethatyouareformingapooropinionofourwomankind，fortheyaremorecharmingandmodestthananyforeignwomen。Agirlormatronwhoexhibitsmoreofhershouldersthanyou，withyourEasternideas，thinkquiteproper，wouldsoonerexpirethanshowaninchaboveherankle。

Wehaveourwayofbeingmodestaswellasyou，andthatisoneofourstrongestprejudices。"

"NowIknowyouarejoking，"hereplied，withaslightshowoftemper，"ortryingtomystifyme，foronlythismorningIwasonthebeachwatchingthebathing，andIsawanumberofladiesinquiteshortskirts—uptotheirknees，infact—

withthethinnestcoveringontheirshapelyextremities。Werethosewomenabovesuspicion？"

"Absolutely，"Iassuredhim，feelinginclinedtotearmyhairatsuchstupidity。"Can’tyouseethedifference？Thatwasindaylight。Ourcustomsallowawomantoshowherfeet，andevenalittlemore，inthemorning。Itwouldbeconsideredtheacmeofindecencytoletthosebeautiesbeseenataball。

Thelawallowsawomantouncoverherneckandshouldersataball，butshewouldbearrestedifsheappeareddecolleteonthebeachofamorning。"

Alongsilencefollowed，brokenonlybythemusicandlaughterfromtheball—room。IcouldseemydazedMohammedanremovehisfezandpassanagitatedhandthroughhisdarkhair；thenheturned，andsalutingmegravely，murmured：

"Itisverykindofyoutohavetakensomuchtroublewithme。

Idonotdoubtthatwhatyouhavesaidisfullofthewisdomandconsistencyofanewcivilization，whichIfailtoappreciate。"Then，withasigh，headded："Itwillbebetterformetoreturntomyowncountry，wheretherearefewerexceptionstorules。"

Withaprofoundsalaamthegentleyouthdisappearedintothesurroundingdarkness，leavingmerubbingmyeyesandaskingmyselfif，afterall，thedreamlandOrientalwasnotaboutright。Custommakesmanyinconsistenciesappearsologicalthattheynolongercauseuseithersurpriseoremotion。Butcanweexplainthem？

Chapter29—Modern"CadetsdeGascogne"

AFTERwitnessingtheperformancegivenbytheComedieFrancaiseintheantiquetheatreatOrange，wedetermined—mycompanionandI—ifeveranotheropportunityofthekindoffered，toattend，bethematerialdifficultieswhattheymight。

Thetheatrical"stars"intheircoursesprovedfavorabletotheaccomplishmentofthisvow。Beforetheyearendeditwaswhisperedtousthatthe"CadetsdeGascogne"wereplanningatramthroughtheCevennesMountainsandtheirnativeLanguedoc—asortoflaypilgrimagetofamoushistoricandliteraryshrines，avoyagetobeenlivenedbymuchcrowningofbustsandrecitingofversesintheopenair，andincidentally，bytheeatingofGasconydishesandthedegustationofdelicatelocalwines；thewholetoculminatewitharepresentationinthearenaatBeziersofDEJANIRE，LouisGallet’sandSaint—

Saens’slatestwork，underthepersonalsupervisionofthosetwomasters。

Atemptingprogramme，wasitnot，inthesedaysofcockneytoursand"Cook"couriers？Atanyrate，onethatwe，withplentyoftimeonourhandsandaweaknessforout—of—the—waycornersanduntroddenpaths，founditimpossibletoresist。

Rostand，inCYRANODEBERGERAC，hasshownusthe"Cadets"ofMoliere’stime，afighting，rhyming，devil—may—careband，whoworetheirheartsontheirsleevesandchipsontheirstalwartshoulders；muchsuchabrotherhood，inshort，aswelovetoimaginethatShakespeare，KitMarlowe，Greene，andtheirintimatesformedwhentheymetatthe"Ship"tocelebrateasuccessordrinkahealthtothedrama。

Themenwhocomposethepresentsociety（whichhasnowformanyyearsborneanameonlyrecentlymadefamousbyM。

Rostand’sgenius）comedelightfullynearrealizingthehappyconditionsofotherdays，and—lessthefighting—formasjoyousandpicturesqueacompanyastheirhistoricelders。

TheyareforthemostpartSouthern—bornyouths，whoseinterestsandambitionscentrearoundthestage，devoteesatthealtarofMelpomene，ardentloversoflettersandkindredarts，andproudofthedebtthatliteraryFranceowestoGascony。

ItisthepleasantcustomofthiscoterietomeetonwintereveningsinunfrequentedCAFES，transformedbythemforthetimeintoclubs，wheretheyrecitenew—madeverses，discussbooksandplays，enunciateparadoxesthatmaketheverywaitersshudder，and，betweentheir"bocks，"planvastrevolutionsintheworldofliterature。

Asthepursuitof"letters"is，ifanything，lesslucrativeinFrancethaninothercountries，thequestionofnextday’sdinnerisalsomuchdiscussedamongthesebuddingMolieres，whoareoftenforcedtolearnearlyintheircareers，whenmealshavebeenmeagre，tosatisfythemselveswithrichrhymesanddrinktheirfillofflowingverse。

Fromtimetotimeolderandmoresuccessfulmembersofthecorporationstraybackintothecircle，layingasidetheirlaurelcrownsandOlympianpose，inthesocietyofthenew—

comerstoBohemia。Thesehonorarymembersenjoynothingmorewhenoccasionoffersthantoescapefromthetoilsofgreatnessandjointhe"Cadets"intheirsummerjourneystoandfroinFrance，tripswhicharemadetocombinethepleasuresofanoutingwiththeaimsofaliterarycampaign。

ItwasaninvitationtojoinoneofthesetrampsthattemptedmyfriendandmeawayfromParisattheseasonwhenthatcityisatitsbest。Beingunable，onaccountofotherengagements，tostartwiththecohortfromthecapital，wemadeadashforitandcaughtthemupatCarcassonneduringthefetesthatthelittleLanguedoccitywasofferingtoitsguests。

AfterhavingseenAiguesMortes，itwasdifficulttobelievethatanyotherplaceinEuropecouldsuggestmorevividlythedaysofmilitaryfeudalism。St。Louis’stinycityis，however，surpassedbyCarcassonne！

ThankstotwentyyearsofstudiousrestorationbyViolletleDuc，thisantiquejewelshinesinitssettingofslopeandplainasperfectto—day（seenfromthedistance）aswhentheCrusadersstartedfromitscrenelatedgatesfortheconquestoftheHolySepulchre。TheacropolisofCarcassonneiscrownedwithGothicbattlements，thegoldenpolygonofwhosewalls，risingfromRomanfoundationsandlayersofruddyVisigothbricktothestatelymarvelofitsfiftytowers，formsawholethatfewcanviewunmoved。

WefoundtheCadetslunchingontheplatformofthegreatwesternkeep，whileahistoricpageantorganizedintheirhonorwaswindingthroughthesteepmediaevalstreets—acavalcadeofarchers，menatarms，andmany—coloredtroubadours，who，aftereffectingatriumphalentrancetothetownoverlowereddrawbridges，mountedtounfurltheirbanneronourtower。Asthegaudystandardunfoldedontheeveningair，Mounet—Sully’sincomparablevoicebreathedtheverysoulofthe"Burgraves"acrossthesilentplainanddownthroughtheechoingcorridorsbelow。Whilewewerestillundertheimpressionofthestirringlines，hechangedhiskeyandwhispered：—

LESOIRTOMBE……L’HEUREDOUCE

QUIS’ELOIGNESANSSECOUSSE，POSEAPEINESURLAMOUSSE

SESPIEDS。

UNJOURINDECISPERSISTE，ETLECREPUSCULETRISTE

OUVRESESYEUXD’AMETHYSTE

MOUILLES。

Nightcameonerethesingingandrecitingended，abalmySouthernevening，litbyathousandfiresfromtowerandbattlementandmoat，theoldwallsglowingredagainstthevioletsky。

Picturethisscenetoyourself，readermine，andyouwillunderstandtheenthusiasmoftheartistsandwritersinourclan。Itneededbutlittleimaginationthentoreconstructthepastandfancyone’sselfbackinthedayswhenthe"Trancavel"heldthiscityagainsttheworld。

Sleepthatnightwasfilledwithastrangephantasmagoriaofcrenelatedchateauxandarmoredknights，untilthebrightProvencalsunlightandthecallforahurrieddeparturedispelledsuchillusions。BynoonwewerefarawayfromCarcassonne，mountingtherockyslopesoftheCevennesamidawildandnoblelandscape；thetoweringcliffsofthe"Causses，"zebraedbyzig—zagpaths，laybelowus，disclosingglimpsesoffertilevalleyandvine—engarlandedplain。

Oneasksone’sselfinwonderwhytheseenchantingregionsaresounknown。ENROUTEourcompanionswerelikechildrenfreshfromschool，takinghaphazardmealsatthelocalinnsandclamberinggaylyintoanyconveyancethatcametohand。AsourwayledusthroughtheCevennescountry，anothercharmgraduallystoleoverthesenses。

"IimaginethatCitheronmustlooklikethis，"murmuredCatulleMendes，aswestoodlookingdownfromasun—bakedeminence，"withtheGulfofCorinththerewhereyouseethatgleamofwater。"AshespokehebegandeclaimingthepassagefromSophocles’sOEDIPUSTHEKINGdescriptiveifthatclassicscene。

TwothousandfeetbelowlayIspanhacinaverdantvalley，theRiverTarngleamingamidthecultivatedfieldslikeacimeterthrownonaTurkishcarpet。Ourdescentwasanavalancheoflaughing，singing"Cadets，"whorolledinthefresh—cutgrassandchasedeachotherthroughtheripeningvineyards，shoutinglinesfromtragediestogroupsofopen—mouthedfarm—hands，andinvadingthetinyinnsontheroadwithsongandtumult。Aswenearedourgoalitsentirepopulation，headedbythecure，cameouttomeetusandofferthehospitalityofthetown。

Inthemarket—place，oneofournumber，inspiredbytheantiquesolemnityofthesurroundings，burstintothenoblelinesofHugo’sDEVANTDIEU，beforewhichtheawestruckpopulationuncoveredandcrossedthemselves，imagining，doubtless，thatitwasareligiousceremony。

Anotherscenerecursvividlytomymemory。WewereatSt。

Enimie。Ihadopenedmywindowtobreathethenightairaftertheheatanddustofthedayandwatchthemoonlightonthequaintbridgeatmyfeet。Suddenlyfromouttheshadowsthererose（likesoundsinadream）theexquisitetoneofSylvain’svoice，alternatingwiththebaritoneofd’Esparbes。Theywereseatedatthewater’sedge，intoxicatedbythebeautyofthesceneandapparentlyobliviousofallelse。

ThenextdaywaspassedontheTarn，ourtenlittleboatsfollowingeachothersinglefileonthenarrowriver，windingaroundthefeetofmightycliffs，orwanderingoutintosunnypasturelandswheresolitarypeasants，interruptedintheirlabors，listenedinastonishmenttothechorusthunderedfromthepassingboats，andwavedusawelcomeaswemovedby。

Spaceislackingtogivemorethanasuggestionofthosedays，passedineveryknownconveyancefromtheantiquediligencetothehissingtrolley，incompanywithmenwhoseemedtohavelefttheircaresandtheiryearsbehindtheminParis。

OurlaststopbeforearrivingatBezierswasatLaCase，whereluncheonwasservedinthegreathallofthechateau。ArmandSylvestrepresidedattherepast；hisversesalternatedwiththesingingsofEmmaCalve，whohadcomefromherneighboringchateautogreetheroldfriendsandcompatriots，the"Cadets。"

Asthemealterminated，morethanoneamongtheguests，I

imagine，felthisheartheavywiththeideathatto—morrowwouldendthispleasantrambleandsendhimbacktotherealitiesoflifeandthedrudgeryofdailybread—winning。

Themorningofthegreatdaydawnedcloudlessandcool。A

laughing，many—coloredthrongearlyinvadedthearena，thewomen’sgaytoiletslendingitsomeresemblancetoaparterreoffantasticflowers。Beforethebellsoundeditsthreestrokesthatannouncedtherepresentation，overtenthousandspectatorshadtakentheirplacesandwerestudyingthegiganticstageanditsfourthousandyardsofpaintedcanvas。

IntheforegroundaclusterofGreekpalacesandtemplessurroundamarket—place；higherupandfurtherbackthecitywalls，mannedbycostumedsentinels，riseagainstmountainssohappilypaintedthattheiroutlinesblendwithnature’sownhandiworkinthedistance，—aworthysettingforastatelydramaandthevaliantcompanyofactorswhohavetravelledfromthecapitalforthissolemnity。