At the supper-table, where Gazonal was fascinated by a silver service made by the modern Benvenuto Cellini, Froment-Meurice, the contents of which were worthy of the container, his mischievous friends were careful to sit at some distance from him; but they followed with cautious eye the manoeuvres of the clever actress, who, being attracted by the insidious hope of getting her furniture renewed, was playing her cards to take the provincial home with her. No sheep upon the day of the Fete-Dieu ever more meekly allowed his little Saint John to lead him along than Gazonal as he followed his siren. Three days later, Leon and Bixiou, who had not seen Gazonal since that evening, went to his lodgings about two in the afternoon. “Well, cousin,” said Leon, “the Council of State has decided in favour of your suit.” “Maybe, but it is useless now, cousin,” said Gazonal, lifting a melancholy eye to his two friends. “I’ve become a republican.” “What does that mean?” asked Leon. “I haven’t anything left; not even enough to pay my lawyer,” replied Gazonal. “Madame Jenny Cadine has got notes of hand out of me to the amount of more money than all the property I own--” “The fact is Cadine is rather dear; but--” “Oh, but I didn’t get anything for my money,” said Gazonal. “What a woman! Well, I’ll own the provinces are not a match for Paris; I shall retire to La Trappe.” “Good!” said Bixiou, “now you are reasonable. Come, recognize the majesty of the capital.” “And of capital,” added Leon, holding out to Gazonal his notes of hand. Gazonal gazed at the papers with a stupefied air. “You can’t say now that we don’t understand the duties of hospitality; haven’t we educated you, saved you from poverty, feasted you, and amused you?” said Bixiou. “_And_ fooled you,” added Leon, making the gesture of gamins to express the action of picking pockets. ADDENDUM The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy. Brambourg, Comte de A Bachelor’s Establishment Cadine, Jenny Cousin Betty Beatrix The Member for Arcis Canalis, Constant-Cyr-Melchior, Baron de Letters of Two Brides A Distinguished Provincial at Paris Modeste Mignon The Magic Skin Another Study of Woman A Start in Life Beatrix The Member for Arcis Collin, Jacqueline Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life Cousin Betty Fontaine, Madame Cousin Pons Gaillard, Theodore A Distinguished Provincial at Paris Beatrix Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life Gaillard, Madame Theodore Jealousies of a Country Town A Distinguished Provincial at Paris A Bachelor’s Establishment Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life Beatrix Giraud, Leon A Distinguished Provincial at Paris A Bachelor’s Establishment The Secrets of a Princess