On another occasion, whilst I was chatting with Nodier, opposite the door of the café de Foy, Duclos passed and stared attentively at Nodier. Nodier, who knew him, thought he must want to speak to him, and took a step towards him. But Duclos shook his head and went on his way without saying anything. Nodier then gave me various details of the life of this odd being; after which we separated. During our talk, Duclos had had time to make the round of the Palais-Royal; so, going back by the Théâtre-Français, I met him very nearly opposite the café Corazza. He stopped right in front of me. "Monsieur Dumas," he said to me, "Do you know Nodier?" "Very well." "Do you like him?" "With all my heart I do." "Do you not think he grows old very fast?" "I must confess I agree with you that he does." "Do you know why?" "No." "Well, I will tell you: _Because he does not take care of himself!_ Nothing ages a man more quickly than neglecting his health!" He continued his walk and left me quite stunned; not by his observation, sagacious as it was; but by the thought that it was Chodruc-Duclos who had made it. The Revolution of July 1830 had, for the moment, interrupted the inveterate habits of two men--Stibert and Chodruc-Duclos. Stibert was-as confirmed a gambler as Duclos was an indefatigable walker. Frascati's, where Stibert spent his days and nights, was closed; the Ordinances had suspended the game of _trente-et-un_, until the monarchy of July should suppress it altogether. Stibert had not patience to wait till the Tuileries was taken: on 28 July, at three in the afternoon, he compelled the concierge at Frascati's to open its doors to him and to play picquet with him. Duclos, for his part, coming from his rooms to go to his beloved Palais-Royal, found the Swiss defending the approaches to it. Some youths had begun a struggle with them, and one of them, armed with a regulation rifle, was firing on the red-coats with more courage than skill. Duclos watched him and then, growing impatient that anyone should risk his life thus wantonly, he said to the youth-- "Hand me your rifle. I will show you how to use it." The young fellow lent it him and Duclos took aim. "Look!" he said; and down dropped a Swiss. Duclos returned the youth his rifle. "Oh," said the latter, "upon my word! if you can use it to such good purpose as that, stick to it!"