"Pshaw! far from it! this incident promises sport. It wasn't my fault that that old politician stuck his rice right under my arm; he ought to have eaten it, instead of reading his newspaper; and then it wouldn't have happened.--But it's half-past ten; let's make haste; I'll bet they're waiting for us." "For you, you mean." "Oh! I wrote Grandmaison a line to tell him I should bring one of my friends; so he expects you." We arrived at Rue Caumartin and entered a pretentious mansion; it was directly opposite Caroline's rooms. We ascended a superb staircase; we passed through several antechambers, lighted by globes suspended from the ceiling, where half a dozen lackeys were yawning. Everything denoted opulence and ostentation. I had not all that to offer her. I had thought that I was doing a great deal for her: I had straitened myself and run into debt; and what had I to show for it?--Ah! I was not likely to forget my experience as a protector! My heart beat fast as I drew near the little salon where the company awaited us; but I soon recovered my self-possession. We entered the room, where I saw four men, but the host was not among them. "Ah! good-evening, my friends!" said Raymond, running from one to another of the guests to shake hands. "Allow me to present a friend of mine, a good fellow, who has a fancy to enjoy himself with us to-night.--But where's Grandmaison?" "In the boudoir; he's taming his pet before supper." "Ah! to be sure! to be sure! they are making their final arrangements, perfecting their agreement. Have you seen her, messieurs?" "Not yet. They say she's charming!" "Fascinating; and almost a novice!" "The deuce! that's a marvel!" "So Grandmaison wishes us to be less indecent than usual." "Good! We'll proceed by degrees, so as not to frighten her. But still, this little one must be trained, and, really, Grandmaison is not the man to do it!" "Poor man! the utmost he can do will be to say a word or two to her--after supper." "He's not a blunt talker, like Joconde." "No; but his wine is delicious." "And he has an excellent cook." "Upon my word, I have the greatest esteem for him!" "For the cook?" "No; for Grandmaison, you sorry joker!--Come, messieurs; no remarks with a double meaning; that's forbidden to-day. Besides, I am for morals before everything!"