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Updated: May 24, 2025
I was aware, at the same time, of a good deal of merriment, as though the traveller were a man of a ready wit, and not too dignified to air it in that society. I leaned forward with a lively curiosity; and the next moment I had blotted myself behind the teapot. The popular traveller had turned to wave a farewell; and behold! he was no other than my cousin Alain.
Do you go to the opera to-night?" "I think not; nothing worth going for: besides, I have found an old friend, to whom I consecrate this evening. Let me introduce you to the Marquis de Rochebriant. Alain, M. Duplessis." The two gentlemen bowed. "I had the honour to be known to Monsieur your father," said Duplessis. "Indeed," returned Rochebriant.
"'Rich' I should think so; one of the Kings of Finance, Ah! observe those young men on horseback." Alain looked forth and recognized the two cavaliers whom he had conjectured to be the sons of the Count de Vandemar. "Those 'beaux garcons' are fair specimens of your Faubourg," said Frederic; "they would decline my acquaintance because my grandfather kept a shop, and they keep a shop between them."
Tell me, have you got the money for the wood you sold to M. Collot a year ago?" "No," said Alain, falteringly. "Good heavens! none of it?" "Only the deposit of ten per cent., which of course I spent, for it formed the greater part of my income. What of Collot? Is he really unsafe?" "He is ruined, and has fled the country. His flight was the talk of the Bourse this morning.
I challenged Alain with an open smile as he backed before us; and no sooner was the dance over, than I saw him desert Lady Frazer on a hurried excuse, and seek the door to satisfy himself that his men were on guard. I dropped laughing into a chair beside Flora. "Anne," she whispered; "who is on the stairs?" "Two Bow Street runners." If you have seen a dove a dove caught in a gin!
"Well, then, as I came out on Alain Street, I passed some ladies who accused me of being on my way here, and who impressed it upon me that I must tell you of the last displays of women-wear: painted and velvet ribbons, I think they said, and crepe scarfs, and chintzes and nankeens and moreens and sarcenets, and oh yes!-some muslinette jackets tamboured with gold and silver.
Great as is my regard for the honour of your house, M. Alain de Saint-Yves, if I hear of you moving directly or indirectly in this matter, I shall do my duty, let it cost what it will: that is, I shall communicate the real name of the Buonapartist spy who signs his letters Rue Grégoire de Tours."
An hour afterwards came a note from Duplessis stating that "he had returned from Bretagne on the previous evening, and would be very happy to see the Marquis de Rochebriant before two o'clock, if not inconvenient to call." Alain put the "commandement" into his pocket, and repaired to the Hotel Duplessis. The financier received him with very cordial civility.
Alain could not misinterpret the hint; and in a few moments took leave of his host, more surprised than disappointed that the financier had not invited him, as Graham had assumed he would, to his soiree the following evening. When Alain was gone, Louvier's jovial manner disappeared also, and became bluffly rude rather than bluntly cordial.
And yet the memory of the kiss that Margaret of Scotland gave to Alain Chartier has lasted four hundred years, and put it into the head of many an ill-favored poet, whether Victoria, or Eugenie, would do as much by him, if she happened to pass him when he was asleep.
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