The third class—I mean, that of “_the parvenus_[19]”—if not the most elegant, or the most esteemed, is, at least, the most luxurious. Nothing can exceed the splendour of the persons of this description. The furniture of their houses, the dress of their wives, their table, their plate, their villas, in short, all the “_agrémens_” of life, are in the highest style of oriental magnificence. To give you some idea of their manner of living, I will describe to you the house of madame ⸺, which I yesterday obtained the permission of seeing, in her absence. The house is situate in a street leading from the Boulevard, and is approached by a fine court, of considerable length. The back of the house looks on a very pretty garden, arranged _à l’angloise_. It was formerly the residence of a minister of state. The drawing room, and _salle à manger_[20], were not yet finished. The furniture prepared for them was rich. I did not think it particularly beautiful; but the bed room, and bathing cabinet, exceeded in luxury every thing which I ever beheld, or even ventured to imagine. The canopy of the bed was of the finest muslin, the covering of pink satin, the frame of beautiful mahogany, supported by figures in gold of antique shapes. The steps, which led to this delicious couch, were covered with red velvet, ornamented on each side with artificial flowers, highly scented. On one side stood, on a pedestal, a marble statue of Silence, with this inscription: “TUTATUR SOMNOS ET AMORES CONSCIA LECTI[21].” On the other, a very lofty gold stand, for a taper or lamp. A fine mirror filled up one side of the bed, and was reflected by one at the top, and another at the opposite side of the room. The walls were covered with mahogany, relieved with gold borders, and now and then with glass. The whole in excellent taste. The bathing cabinet, which adjoined, was equally luxurious. The bath, when not in use, forms a sofa, covered with kerseymere edged with gold: and the whole of this cabinet is as pretty as the bed room. Beyond this room is the bed chamber of _monsieur_, plain, neat, and unaffected; and on the other side a little closet, covered with green silk, and opening on the garden, in which _madame_ sits, when she amuses herself with drawing. To conclude, I find the “loves,” which “Silence guards,” and of which this paphian seat is the witness, are those of January and May; for the wife is twenty (the greatest beauty of Paris), and the husband something less than sixty.