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Updated: June 4, 2025
Having gone through the ceremony of presentation to Madame Gandrin, a handsome woman dressed to perfection, and conversing with the secretary to an embassy, the young noble ensconced himself in an obscure and quiet corner, observing all and imagining that he escaped observation.
"Monsieur le Marquis," said M. Gandrin, glancing at the card and the introductory note from M. Hebert, which Alain had sent in, and which lay on the 'secretaire' beside heaps of letters nicely arranged and labelled, "charmed to make the honour of your acquaintance; just arrived at Paris?
He was evidently a sincere bon vivant, and M. Gandrin had no less evidently taken all requisite pains to gratify his taste. The Montrachet served with the oysters was of precious vintage; that vin de madere which accompanied the potage a la bisque would have contented an American. And how radiant became Louvier's face when amongst the entrees he came upon laitances de carpes!
Experience is no bad substitute for youth, and ambition is made stronger by the goad of poverty. "Thou shalt hear of his news soon." The next day at noon M. Louvier was closeted in his study with M. Gandrin. "Yes," cried Louvier, "I have behaved very handsomely to the beau Marquis. No one can say to the contrary." "True," answered Gandrin.
The affable financier had already made vast progress in familiarity with his silent fellow-guest. When the dinner was over and the three men had reentered the salon for coffee and liqueurs, Gandrin left Louvier and Alain alone, saying he was going to his cabinet for cigars which he could recommend.
The Marquis had no sooner quitted the house than M. Gandrin opened a door at the side of his office, and a large portly man strode into the room, stride it was rather than step, firm, self-assured, arrogant, masterful. "Well, mon ami," said this man, taking his stand at the hearth, as a king might take his stand in the hall of his vassal, "and what says our petit muscadin?"
M. Gandrin smiled politely and said, "'Eh bien, M. le Marquis: favour me with the abstract; in a week's time you shall have my opinion. You enjoy Paris? Greatly improved under the Emperor. 'Apropos, Madame Gandrin receives tomorrow evening; allow me that opportunity to present you to her."
"He is neither petit nor muscadin, Monsieur Louvier," replied Gandrin, peevishly; "and he will task your powers to get him thoroughly into your net. But I have persuaded him to meet you here. What day can you dine with me? I had better ask no one else." "To-morrow I dine with my friend O , to meet the chiefs of the Opposition," said M. Louvier, with a sort of careless rollicking pomposity.
As briefly as he could Alain described the state of his affairs, the nature of his mortgages, and the result of his interview with M. Gandrin. Frederic listened attentively. "Then Gandrin has given you as yet no answer?" "None; but I have a note from him this morning asking me to call to-morrow." "After you have seen him, decide on nothing, if he makes you any offer.
"Gandrin, what did you mean by saying that that young man was no muscadin! Muscadin, aristocrate, offensive from top to toe." "You amaze me; you seemed to take to him so cordially."
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