"Madame de la Myre?" interrupted the countess, eagerly. "Yes,--Madame de la Myre. She is on her way to Nantes, and would not pass the château without making your acquaintance. How fortunate that she comes on your birthday! I hope it will bring luck to both." "Dear cousin!" said the duchess, opening her arms to Madame de Vouillé. The two women kissed each other. As for the two men M. de Vouillé contented himself with saying aloud, "Monsieur de la Myre," "Monsieur de Lussac." The company bowed. "Now," said M. de Vouillé, "we must find seats for these new-comers, who warn me that they are dying of hunger." Every one moved a little. The table was large, and all the guests had plenty of elbow-room; it was not difficult therefore to place three additional persons. "Did you not tell me, my dear cousin," said the duchess, "that the prefect of Vienne was dining with you?" "Yes, madame; and that is he whom you see on the countess's right, with spectacles, a white cravat, and the rosette of an officer of the Legion of honor in his buttonhole." "Oh! pray present us." Monsieur de Vouillé boldly carried on the comedy. He felt there was nothing to be done but to play it out. Accordingly, he approached the prefect, who was majestically leaning back in his chair. "Monsieur le préfet," he said, "this is my cousin, who, with her traditional respect for authority, thinks that a general presentation is not enough, and therefore wishes to be presented to you particularly." "Generally, particularly, and officially," replied the gallant functionary, "madame is and ever will be welcome." "I accept the pledge, monsieur," said the duchess. "Madame is going to Nantes?" asked the prefect, by way of making a remark. "Yes, monsieur; and thence to Paris,--at least, I hope so." "It is not, I presume, the first time that Madame visits the capital?" "No, monsieur; I lived there twelve years." "And Madame left it--" "Oh! very unwillingly, I assure you." "Recently?" "Two years ago last July." "I can well understand that having once lived in Paris--" "I should wish to return there. I am glad you understand that." "Oh, Paris! Paris!" said the functionary. "The paradise of the world!" said the duchess. "Come, take your seats," said Monsieur de Vouillé. "Oh, my dear cousin," said the duchess, with a glance at the place he intended for her, "leave me beside Monsieur le préfet, I entreat you. He has just expressed himself with so much feeling about the thing I have most at heart that I place him, at once, on my list of friends."