They who are not acquainted with the world of the Continent may think it strange that society, even in a watering-place, should assemble individuals so different in rank and social position; but a very little experience will always shew that intercourse is really as much denied between such parties as though they were in different hemispheres. As the Rhone rolls its muddy current through the blue waters of the Lake of Geneva, and never mingles its turbid stream with the clear waves beside it, so these people are seen pouring their flood through every assemblage, and never disturbing the placid surface in their course. To effect this, two requisites are indispensable to the company,--a very rigid good-breeding and a very lax morality. No one can deny that both are abundant. And here, if I mistake not, comes my own _cher-à-banc_. Truly, my excellent valet has followed my directions to the letter. I said, “Something of the commonest,” and he has brought me a _fiacre_ that seems as moribund and creaky as myself. No matter, I am ready. And now to be off! CHAPTER X. Now has there happened to me one of the strangest adventures of my strange life, and before I sleep I have determined to note it down, for no other reason than this: that my waking thoughts to-morrow will refuse to credit mere memory, without some such corroboration. Nay, I have another witness--this glove! Were it not for this, I should have chronicled our _féte_ which really was far more successful than such things usually are. Not only was there no _contretemps_, but all went off well and pleasantly. The men were witty and good-tempered; the women--albeit many of them handsome--were _aimable_, and disposed to be pleased; the weather and the champagne were perfect. They who could eat--which I couldn’t--say, that Gougon was admirable; and the band played some of Donizetti’s pieces with great precision and effect. _Ainsi_, the elements were all favourable; each instrument filled its part; and the _ensemble_ was good--rather a rare event where people come out expressly bent on enjoyment, and determined to take pleasure by storm. Premeditated happiness, like marriage for love, is often too much premeditated. Here, however, “the gods were propitious.” Unlike most picnics, there neither was rain nor rancour; and considering that we had specimens of at least half-a-dozen different nationalities, and frequently as many different languages going at once, there was much amusing conversation, and a great deal of pleasant, gossip-ping anecdote: not that regular story-telling which depends upon its stage-effect of voice and manner, but that far more agreeable kind of narrative that claims interest from being about people and places that we know beforehand, conveying traits of character and mind of well-known persons, always amusing and interesting.