‘“Oh, that’s my own saddle, my brand-new English saddle, and I don’t let it out for hire, monsieur.” ‘In vain did I insist, and beg, and persuade. The miller was obstinate, and I might have saved my breath. I beheld myself riding through the streets of Paris perched on that lamentable pack-saddle, which had never carried anything but flour or manure. Assuredly the horse was of no use to me without the saddle. “Now, gentlemen,” I said, interrupting my story and addressing my fellow-guests, “what would you have done in view of the miller’s obstinacy?” Then I appealed to each in particular. “You, Monsieur Ouvrard, who, in virtue of your administrative capacities, admired by everybody, sustain our military glory by looking to the inner comforts of our soldiers? You, Davencourt, who, in spite of all the ruses of the fox, put on its scent a dozen packs after they have lost it? You, Monsieur l’Amiral, who brave both the storm and the guns of the enemy? You, Generals Berthier and Lannes, who in Italy and in Egypt proved yourselves the Parmenios of the new Alexander? And finally you, Monsieur de Talleyrand, who as our Minister of Foreign Affairs have shown and continue to show your profound observation of men and things:--what would you have done to get hold of the saddle the miller refused to lend at any price?” There was no answer, they only laughed. “May I remind you,” I said, “that laughter scarcely contributes a reply. I have, however, already discovered the master of all of you,” I went on, turning to Mme. Grant. “Her smile shows me that she has guessed my last resource. Yes, madame, you guessed rightly; I appealed to the miller’s wife, and with a few carefully chosen words, managed to enlist her sympathy. The new saddle, the horse, and the mill if I had been in need of it, were finally at my disposal. Such, in the cottage as in the palace, is the power of feminine influence.” * * * * * ‘No sooner had I finished my break-neck story than loud applause broke forth, followed by the drinking of my health and to the result of my negotiation. Encouraged by everybody’s approval, I began to talk, like the boy I was, right and left, and my remarks were evidently relished by Mme. Grant. M. de Talleyrand, who at that period was very much in love with her, because, as he said, she had everything that completed the charm of a woman, namely, a soft skin, a sweet breath, and a sweet temper--M. de Talleyrand seemed equally pleased with me. The rest of the guests followed his lead, considering it easier to adopt the opinion of a clever man than to go to the trouble of making one for themselves.