Itisimpossibleinfeebleprosetogiveanyideaoftheimpressionthoselinesproduceinthestupendoustheatre，packedtoitsutmostlimits—thewildnight，withastormintheair，astagewhichseemslikeaclearinginsomeforestinhabitedbyTitans，theterribletragedyofAEschylusfollowingthegracefulfeteofApollo。
Aftertheunavoidableconfusionatthebeginning，thevastaudiencelisteninprofoundsilencetoanexpressionofpureart。Theyarenolongeractorswehear，butdemi—gods。Withvoicesofthestorm，possessedbysomedivineafflatus，thunderingoutversesoffire—carriedoutofthemselvesinawhirlwindofpassion，likeantiqueprophetsandSibylsforetellingthemisfortunesoftheworld！
Thatnightwillremainimmutablyfixedinmymemory，ifIlivetobeasoldasthetheatreitself。Weweresomoved，mycompanionandI，andhadseenthecrowdsomoved，thatfearingtoeffacetheimpressionifwereturnedthesecondnighttoseeANTIGONE，wecamequietlyaway，ponderingoveritall，andrealizingonceagainthatathingofbeautyisasourceofeternaldelight。
Chapter26—Pre—palatialNewportTHEhistoricOceanHouseofNewportisaruin。Flameshavelaidlowtheunsightlystructurethatwasatonetimethebest—knownhotelinAmerica。Itsfifty—oddyearsofexistence，aswellasitsday，areover。Havingservedapurpose，ithasdeparted，togetherwiththegenerationandhabitsoflifethatproducedit，intothelimbowhereoldhouses，oldcustoms，andsuperannuatedideassurvive，—thememoryofthefewwholiketorecallotherdaysandwanderfromtimetotimeinareconstructedpast。
Therewasacertainappropriatenessinthemannerofitstakingoff。Theproudoldstructurehaddoubtlessheardprojectsofrebuildingdiscussedbyitsowners（whoforsomeyearshadbeenthreateningtotearitdown）；woundeddoubtlessbyunflatteringtruths，thehoteldecidedthatifitsdayswerenumbered，anexitworthyofaleadingrolewasatleastpossible。\"Pullmedown，indeed！Thatisallverywellforordinaryhostleries，butfromanestablishmentofmypretensions，thathasreceivedthearistocracyofthecountry，andcountlessforeignswells，somethingmoreisexpected！\"
Soitturnedthematteroveranddebatedwithinitsshakyoldbrain（Mrs。Skewtonfashion）whatwouldbethemostbecomingandeffectivewayofretiringfromthesocialwhirl。Ballshavebeenoverdone；peoplearenolongertemptedbyreceptions；abanquetwasoutofthequestion。Suddenlythewilybuildinghitonanidea。\"I’llgivethemaFEU
D’ARTIFICE。Therehasn’tbeenafirst—classfireheresinceI
burnedmyselfdownfifty—threeyearsago！Thatkindofentertainmenthasn’tbeenrunintothegroundlikeeverythingelseinthesedegeneratedays！I’lldoitinthebestandmostcompleteway，andgiveNewportsomethingtotalkabout，whenevermynameshallbementionedinthefuture！\"
Daudet，inhisL’IMMORTEL，showsushowsomepeoplearebornlucky。His\"LoiseloftheInstitute，\"althoughaninsignificantandcommonplaceman，succeededallthroughlifeinkeepinghimselfbeforethepublic，andgettingtalkedaboutasacelebrity。Heevenarranged（tothedisgustandenvyofhisrivals）todieduringaweekwhennoeventofimportancewasoccupyingpublicattention。Inconsequence，reporters，beingshortof\"copy，\"owingtoadearthofmurdersand\"firstnights，\"seizedonthisdemiseandmadehisfuneralanevent。
Thetruthis，theOceanHousehadlivedsolonginanatmosphereofostentatiousworldlinessthat，likemanyresidentsofthesummercity，ithadcometotakeitselfandits\"position\"seriously，andimaginethattheeyesofthecountrywerefixeduponandexpectedsomethingofit。
TheairofNewporthasalwaysprovedfataltobighotels。Oneafteranothertheyhaveappearedandfailed，theOceanHousealonedraggingoutaforlornexistence。Astheflamesworkedtheirwillandthecarelesscrowdenjoyedthespectacle，onecouldnothelpfeelingavagueregretfortheoldplace，moreforwhatitrepresentedthanforanyintrinsicvalueofitsown。Withoutgreatlystretchingapointitmightbetakentorepresentasocialcondition，aphase，asitwere，inourdevelopment。Inacertainobscureway，itwasanepoch—
markingstructure。ItsbuildingclosedtheeraofprimitiveNewport，itsdeclinecorrespondedwiththeendofthepre—
palatialperiod—aneraextendingfrom1845to1885。
DuringfortyyearsNewporthadauniqueexistence，unknowntotherestofAmerica，anddestinedtohavealastinginfluenceonherways，anexistencenowascompletelyforgottenastheearlierboarding—houseMATINEEDANSANTEtime。*Thesixties，seventies，andeightiesinNewportwerepleasantyearsthatmanyofusregretinspiteofmodernprogress。Simple，inexpensivedays，whenpeopledinedatthree（lookingonthenewlyintroducedsixo’clockdinnersasanEnglishinnovationandmodern\"frill\"），and\"high—teaed\"togetherdyspepticallyoff\"sallylunns\"and\"preserves，\"washeddownbycoffeeandchocolate，whichitwasthetoilsomedutyofahostesstodispensefromasilver—ladentray；dayswhen\"rockaways\"drawnbylean，long—tailedhorsesanddrivenbymustacheddarkieswere，ifnottherule，farfrombeinganexception。
*\"NewportofthePast，\"WORLDLYWAYSANDBY—WAYS。
\"Dutchtreat\"picnics，anotherarchaicamusement，flourishedthen，directedbyafamousorganizerathisfarm，eachguestbeingtoldwhatshareoftheeatablesitwashisdutytoprovide，anedictfromwhichtherewasnoappeal。
Sportwaslittleknownthen，youngmenpassingtheirafternoonstoolingsolemnlyupanddownBellevueAvenueintop—hatsandblackfrock—coatsundertheburningAugustsun。
ThiswastheepochwhentheTownandCountryClubwasyoungandfullofvigor。Wemetateachother’shousesorathistoricsitestohearpapersreadonserioussubjects。Oneparticularafternoonisvividinmymemory。WehadalldrivenouttoapointontheshorebeyondtheThirdBeach，wheretheNorsemenweresupposedtohavelandedduringtheirapocryphalvisittothiscontinent。Ithadbeenahotdrive，butwhenwestopped，akeenwindwasblowinginfromthesea。Duringapauseintheprolixaddressthatfollowed，acoachman’svoicewasheardtomutter，\"Ifhejawsmuchlongerallthehorseswillbefoundered，\"whichbroughtthelearnedaddresstoanignominiousandhastytermination。
Newportduringthepre—palatialeraaffectedculture，andawhiffofBostonpervadedtheair，muchofwhichwastiresome，yetwithanunder—currentofcharmandrefinement。ThosewhohadtheprivilegeofknowingMrs。JuliaWardHowe，willrememberthepleasant\"teas\"andsparklingconversationsheofferedherguestsintheunpretendingcottagewherethebeautyofthedaughterwasasbrilliantasthemother’swit。
TwoestatesonBellevueAvenuearenowwithoutthehostesseswho，inthosedays，showedtheworldwhatgreatladiesAmericacouldproduce。Itwastheforeign—bornhusbandofoneofthesewomenwhogaveNewportitsfirstlessonsinluxuriousliving。UntilthenAmericanshadtravelledabroadandseenelaboratelyservedmealsandproperlyappointedstableswithouttheambitionofcopyingsuchthingsathome。Colonialandrevolutionarystatehaddiedout，andmodernextravagancehadnotyetappeared。Intheinterregnummuchwasneglectedthatmighthaveaddedtotheconvenienceandgraceoflife。
InFrance，underLouisPhilippe，andinEngland，duringVictoria’syouth，tastereachedanebbtide；inneitherofthosecountries，however，didthegeneralstandardfallsolowashere。ItwasowingtotheSAVOIRFAIREofonemanthatNewportersandNewYorkfirstsawathomewhattheyhadadmiredabroad，—liveriedservantsinsufficientnumbers，dinnersservedALARUSSE，andbreechedandbootedgroomsonEnglish—builttraps，innovationsquicklyfollowedbyhisneighbors，forthemostmarkedcharacteristicoftheAmericanishisabilityto\"catchon。\"
When，duringthewarofthesecession，ourNavalAcademywasremovedfromAnnapolisandinstalledintheemptyAtlanticHouse（cornerofBellevueAvenueandPelhamStreet），hotellifehadalreadybeguntodecline；buttheOceanHouse，whichwasconsideredavastenterpriseatthattime，inheritedfromtheolderhotelsthecustomofgivingSaturdayevening\"hops，\"
thecottagersarrivingattheseinformalentertainmentstowardnineo’clockandpromenadingupanddownthecorridorsordancingintheparlor，totheadmirationofapubliccollectedtoenjoythespectacle。Ateleventhedoorsofthedining—
roomopened，andalineofwell—drilleddarkiespassedicesandlemonade。Byhalf—pasteleven（thehouratwhichwenowarriveatadance）everyonewasathomeandabed。
Onerememberswithashudderthemilitarymanoeuvresthatattendedhotelmealsinthosedays，themarchingandcountermarching，yourdinnercoolingwhiletheheadwaiterreviewedhismen。Thatidioticcustomhasbeenabandoned，likemanybetterandworse。NexttotheAmericanabilitytocatchoncomesthefacilitywithwhichhecandropafad。
InthispeculiaritythehistoryofNewporthasbeenanepitomeofthecountry，everyformofamusementbeinginturntakenup，runintotheground，andthenabandoned。AtonetimeitwasthefashiontodrivetoFortAdamsofanafternoonandcircleroundandroundthelittlegreentothesoundsofamilitaryband；then，fornovisiblereason，peopletooktodrivingontheThirdBeach，aninaccessibleandlonelypointwhichfortwoorthreesummerswasconsideredtheonlycorrectpromenade。
Iblushtorecallit，butatthattimemostoftheturnoutswerehiredhacks。Next，GravesPoint，ontheOceanDrive，becamethepopularmeeting—place。Thensocietytooktoattendingpoloofanafternoon，asportjustintroducedfromIndia。ThiseracorrespondedwiththeopeningoftheCasino（theoldreading—roomdatingfrom1854）。ForseveralyearseveryonecrowdedduringhotAugustmorningsontotheairlesslawnsandpiazzasofthenewestablishment。Itseemsonlookingbackasifwemusthavebeenmorefondofseeingeachotherinthosedaysthanwearenow。Torideupanddownabeachandbowfilledoursoulswithjoy，andthe\"cakewalk\"
wasanessentialpartofeveryball，theguestsparadinginpairsroundandroundtheroombetweenthedancesinsteadofsittingquietly\"out。\"TheopeningpromenadeattheNewYorkCharityBallisasurvivalofthisinanecustom。
ThedisappearanceoftheOceanHouse\"hops\"markedthelaststageinhotellife。Sincethenbetter—classwateringplacesalloverthecountryhaveslowlybutsurelyfollowedNewport’slead。TheclosedcaravansariesofBarHarborandelsewherebearsilenttestimonytothefactthatrefinedAmericansareatlastawakeningtothecharmsofhomelifeduringtheirholidays，andarediscarding，asfastasfinanceswillpermit，theperniciousherdingsystem。Inconsequencethehotelhasceasedtobe，whatitundoubtedlywastwentyyearsago，thefocusofoursummerlife。
OnlyafewcharredraftersremainoftheOceanHouse。Afewtalkativeolddufferslikemyselfalonesurvivethedayitrepresents。Changingsocialconditionshavegraduallyplacedbothontheretiredlist。AnewandpalatialNewporthasreplacedthesimplercity。Letusnotwastetoomuchtimeregrettingthepast，orbetoosurethatitwasbetterthanthepresent。Itisquitepossible，iftheoldtimeswearewritingsofondlyaboutshouldreturn，wemightdiscoverthatthesamethingwastrueofthemasaraggedurchinassertedtheotherafternoonoftheburningbuilding：
\"Say，Tom，didyeknowtherewasthebiggestroomintheworldinthathotel？\"
\"No；whatroom？\"
\"Roomforimprovement，ya！\"
Chapter27—SARDOUatMarly—le—RoyNEARthecentreofthatverdanttriangleformedbySaintCloud，Versailles，andSaintGermainliesthevillageofMarly—le—Roy，highuponaslopeabovethelazySeine—anentrancingcorneroftheearth，muchaffectedformerlybyFrenchcrownedheads，andbythe\"SunKing\"inparticular，whoinhisoldagegrewtiredofVersaillesandbuilthereoneofhismanyvillas（therivalinitsdayoftheTrianons），andproceededtoamusehimselfthereinwiththesamesolemnitywhichhadalreadymadeviceatVersaillesmoreboresomethanvirtueelsewhere。
Twocenturiesandfourrevolutionshavesweptawayalltraceofthiskinglycapriceandthearttreasuresitcontained。
Alone，themarblehorsesofCoustou，transportedlatertotheChampsElysees，remaintoattestthesplendorofthepast。
ThequaintvillageofMarly，clusteredarounditschurch，stands，however—withthefacultythatinsignificantthingshaveofremainingunchanged—asitdidwhenthemostpolishedcourtofEuroperodethroughittoandfromthehunt。Ontheoutskirtsofthisvillagearenowtwoforgedandgildedgatewaysthroughwhichthepasser—bycancatchaglimpseoftrimavenues，fountains，andwell—keptlawns。
ThereseemsacertainpoeticaljusticeinthefactthatAlexandreDumasFILSandVictorienSardou，thetwogiantsofmoderndrama，shouldhavedividedbetweenthemtheinheritanceofLouisXIV。，itsgreatestpatron。Oneofthegatesisclosedandmoss—grown。ItsownerliesinPere—la—Chaise。AttheotherIring，andamsoonwalkingupthefamousavenueborderedbycolossalsphinxespresentedtoSardoubythelateKhedive。Thebigstonebrutes，connectedinone’smindwithheatandsandywastes，lookoddlyoutofplacehereinthisgreenwilderness—abite，asitwere，outoftheforestwhich，underdifferentnames，lieslikeamantleoverthecountry—side。
FiveminuteslaterIambeingshownthroughasuiteofantiquesalons，inthelastofwhichsitsthegreatplaywright。HowstrikingthelikenessistoVoltaire，—thesamedelicateface，litbyahalfcordial，halfmockingsmile；thesamefragilebodyandindomitablespirit。Theillusionisenhancedbyoursurroundings，forthemellowsplendoroftheroomwherewestandmighthaveservedasabackgroundfortheSageofFerney。
Whereveronelooks，worksofeighteenth—centuryartmeettheeye。ThewallsarehungwithGobelintapestriesthatfairlytakeone’sbreathaway，soexquisiteistheirdesignandtheirpreservation。Theyrepresentamarblecolonnade，eachcolumnofwhichiswreathedwithflowersandconnectedtoitsneighborwithgarlands。
Betweenthemarebitsofdelicatelandscape，withhereandthereagroupoffiguresdancingorpicnickingintheshadowoftalltreesorunderfantasticalporticos。Thefurnitureoftheroomisnolessmarvellousthanitshangings。Oneturnsfromaharpsichordofvernis—martintotheclock，arelicfromLouisXIV。’sbedroominVersailles；ontothebric—a—bracofoldSaxeorSevresinadmiringwonder。Myhostdriftsintohisshowmanmanner，irresistiblycomicinthiswriter。
Thepleasuresofthecollectorareapparentlydividedintothreephases，withoutcountingtheraptureofthehunt。
First，thedelightatrueamateurtakesinlivingamongrareandbeautifulthings。Second，thesatisfactionofshowingone’streasurestolessfortunatemortals，andlast，butperhapskeenestofall，thepridewhichcomesfromthefactthatonehasbeencleverenoughtoacquireobjectswhichotherpeoplewant，atpricesbelowtheirmarketvalue。Sardouevidentlyenjoysthesethreesensationsvividly。Thatheliveswithandloveshispossessionsisevident，andthesmilewithwhichhecallsyourattentiontoonepieceafteranother，andmentionswhattheycosthim，atteststhatthetwootherjoysarenotunknowntohim。Heisoldenoughtorememberthegoldenagewhenreallygoodthingsweretobepickedupformodestsums，beforeeveryparvenuconsidereditnecessarytoturnhishouseintoamuseum，andfactoriesexistedfortheproductionof\"antiques\"tobesoldtoinnocentamateurs。
Incallingattentiontoasetofcarvedandgildedfurniture，coveredinBeauvaistapestry，suchassoldrecentlyinParisattheValencaysale—Talleyrandcollection—forsixtythousanddollars，Sardoumentionswithalaughthathegothisfifteenpiecesforfifteenhundreddollars，theyearafterthewar，fromanoldchateaubackofCannes！Oneuniquepieceoftapestryhadcosthimlessthanone—tenthofthatsum。Hediscovereditinapeasant’sstableunderatwo—footlayerofstrawandearth，whereithadprobablybeenhiddenahundredyearsbeforebyitsowner，andthenallrecordofitlostbyhisdescendants。
ThementionofCannessetsSardouoffonanothertrainofthought。Hisfamilyforthreegenerationshavelivedthere。
BeforethattheywereSardinianfishermen。Hisgreat—
grandfather，heimagines，wasdrivenbysometempesttotheshorenearCannesandsettledwherehefoundhimself。Hencethename！ForinthepatoisofProvencalFranceaninhabitantofSardiniaisstillcalledUNSARDOU。
Thesunisoffthefrontofthehousebythistime，sowemigratetoashadycornerofthelawnforourAPERITIF，theinevitablevermouthor\"bitters\"whichFrenchmentakeatfiveo’clock。Hereanothersurpriseawaitsthevisitor，whohasnotrealized，perhaps，towhathighgroundthecrawlinglocaltrainhasbroughthim。Atourfeet，farbelowthelawnandshadetreesthatencirclethechateau，liestheSeine，twistingawaytowardSaintGermain，whoseterraceanddismantledpalacestandoutlinedagainstthesky。ToourrightistheplainofSaintDenis，thecathedralinitsmidstlookinglikeanopera—glassonagreentable。Furtherstilltotheright，asoneturnsthecorneroftheterrace，liesParis，awhitelineonthehorizon，brokenbythemassoftheArcdeTriomphe，theroofoftheOpera，andtheEiffelTower，resplendentinafreshcoatofyellowlacquer！
ThegroundwherewestandwasoccupiedbythefeudalcastleofLesSiresdeMarly；althoughalltracesofthatstrongholddisappearedcenturiesago，thepresentownerofthelandpointsoutwithpridethattheextraordinarybeautyofthetreesaroundhishouseisowingtothefactthattheirrootsreachdeepdowntotherichloamcollectedduringcenturiesinthecastle’smoat。
Thelittlechateauitself，builtduringthereignofLouisXIV。fortheGRAND—VENEURoftheforestofMarly，isintenselyFrenchintype，—along，lowbuildingonastoneterrace，withnotraceofornamentaboutitswhitefacadeoronitsslantingroof。Inside，alltheroomsare\"front，\"
communicatingwitheachotherENSUITE，andopenintoacorridorrunningthelengthofthebuildingattheback，which，inturn，opensonastonecourt。Twolateralwingsatrightanglestothemainbuildingformthesidesofthiscourtyard，andcontainLESCOMMUNS，thekitchen，laundry，servants’rooms，andtheotherannexesofalargeestablishment。ThisarrangementforasummerhouseisforsomereasonneglectedbyourAmericanarchitects。IcanrecallonlyonehomeinAmericabuiltonthisplan。ItisGiraudFoster’sbeautifulvillaatLenox。YoumayvisitfivehundredFrenchchateauxandnotfindonethatdiffersmateriallyfromthisplan。TheAmericanideaseemsonthecontrarytobeasquarehousewitharoomineachcorner，andalltheservants’quartersstowedawayinabasement。Cottageandpalacegoonreproducingthatfoolishandinconvenientarrangementindefinitely。
Afteranhour’schatoverourdrinks，duringhosthasrippledonfromonesubjecttoanotherwiththelightnessoftouchofaborntalker，wegetontothesubjectofthegrounds，andhisplansfortheirimprovement。
GoodluckhasplacedinSardou’shandsanoldmapofthegardensastheyexistedinthetimeofLouisXV。，andseveralprintsofthechateaudatingfromaboutthesameepochhavefoundtheirwayintohisportfolios。Thegroundsare，underhiscare，slowlyresumingtheappearanceofformerdays。Oldavenuesreopen，statuesreappearonthedisusedpedestals，fountainsplayagain，andclippedhedgesoncemorelineouttheterracedwalks。
Inordertoexplainhowcompletethisworkwillbeintime，Sardouhurriesmeofftoinspectanotherpartofhiscollection。Downpastthestables，inanunusedcornerofthegrounds，longshedshavebeenerected，underwhichisstoredthedebrisofadozenpalaces，anassortmentofeighteenth—
centuryartthatcouldnotbeduplicatedeveninFrance。
OneshedsheltersanentiresemicircleofTREILLAGE，pureLouisXV。，anexquisiteexampleofalostart。Columns，domes，panels，arepackedawayinstrawawaitingresurrectioninsomecornerhereaftertobechosen。Adozenseatsinrose—
coloredmarblefromFontainebleauarehuddledtogethernearbyincompanywitharowofgiganticmarblemasquesbroughtoriginallyfromItalytodecorateFouquet’sfountainsathischateauofVauxintheshortdayofitsglory。Justhowthislatterfindistobeutilizedtheirownerhasnotyetdecided。
Theproblem，however，tojudgefromhismanner，isasimportanttothegreatplaywrightastheplotofhisnextdrama。
ThatthebloodofanantiquarianrunsinSardou’sveinsisevidentinthesubduedexcitementwithwhichheshowsyouhispossessions—statuesfromVersailles，forgedgatesandbalconiesfromSaintCloud，thecarvedandgildedwood—workforadozenroomsculledfromthefourcornersofFrance。
Likethetruedramatist，hehas，however，kepthisfinesteffectforthelast。Inthecentreofacircularrosegardennearbystands，aloneinitsbeauty，acolumnfromthefacadeoftheTuileries，asperfectfrombasetoflower—crownedcapitalaswhenPhilibertDelorme’sworkmenlaiddowntheirtools。
YearsagoSardoubefriendedayoungstonemason，whothroughthistimelyaidprospered，and，becominglaterarichbuilder，receivedin1882fromthecityofParisthecontracttoteardowntheburnedruinsoftheTuileries。Whileinspectingthepalacebeforebeginningtheworkofdemolition，hediscoveredonecolumnthathadbyacuriouschanceescapedboththeflamesoftheCommuneandthepatrioticardorof1793，whicheffacedallroyalemblemsfromchurchandpalacealike。
Rememberinghisbenefactor’sloveforantiquitieswithhistoricalassociations，thegratefulcontractorappearedonedayatMarlywiththiscolumnonadray，andinsistedonerectingitwhereitnowstands，pointingouttoSardouwithpridethecrowned\"H，\"ofHenriQuatre，andtheentwined\"M。
M。\"ofMariedeMedicis，toppedbytheFlorentinelilyintheflutingsoftheshaftandonthecapital。
AquestionofmineonSardou’smannerofworkingledtoourabandoningthegardensandmountingtothetopfloorofthechateau，wherehisenormouslibraryandcollectionofprintsarestoredinaseriesoflittleroomsoralcoves，lightedfromthetopandopeningonacorridorwhichrunsthelengthofthebuilding。Ineachroomstandsawriting—tableandachair；aroundthewallsfromfloortoceilingandinhugeportfoliosarearrangedhisbooksandengravingsaccordingtotheirsubject。TheEmpirealcove，forinstance，containsnothingbutpublicationsandpicturesrelatingtothatepoch。
RomanandGreekhistoryhavetheiralcoves，ashavemediaevalhistoryandthereignsofthedifferentLouis。Nothingcouldwellbeconceivedmoreconducivetostudythanthisarrangement，anditmakesonerealizehowhonestwasthemaster’sreplywhenaskedwhatwashisfavoriteamusement。
\"Work！\"answeredtheauthor。
Ourconversation，aswasfated，soonturnedtotheenormoussuccessofROBESPIERREinLondon—atriumphthatevenSardou’smanybrilliantvictorieshadnotyetequalled。
ItischaracteristicoftheFrenchdispositionthatneithertheauthornoranymemberofhisfamilycouldsummoncouragetoundertaketheprodigiousjourneyfromParistoLondoninordertoseethefirstperformance。EvenSardou’sbusinessagent，M。Roget，didnotgetfurtherthanCalais，wherehiscouragegaveout。\"Theseawassoterrible！\"Boththosegentlemen，however，tookitquiteasamatterofcoursethatSardou’sAmericanagentshouldmakeathree—thousand—milejourneytobepresentatthefirstnight。
ThefactthattheFrenchauthorresistedSirHenryIrving’spressinginvitationstovisithiminnowayindicatesalackofinterestinthesuccessoftheplay。IhadjustarrivedfromLondon，andsohadtogointoeverydetailoftheperformance，aratherdelicatetask，asIhadbeendiscouragedwiththeactingofbothMissTerryandIrving，whohaveneitherofthemtheage，voice，nortemperamenttorepresenteithertherevolutionarytyrantorthewomanhebetrayed。Asthestaginghadbeenexcellent，Ienlargedonthatsideofthesubject，butwhenpressedintoacornerbytheauthor，hadtoacknowledgethatinthescenewhereRobespierre，aloneatmidnightintheConciergerie，seesthephantomsofhisvictimsadvancefromthesurroundingshadowsandformamenacingcirclearoundhim，Irvinghadusedhispoorvoicewithsolittleskillthattherewaslittleleftforthesplendidclimax，when，intryingtoescapefromhisghastlyvisitors，RobespierrefindshimselffacetofacewithMarieAntoinette，andwithawildcry，halfofhorror，halfofremorse，fallsbackinsensible。
Inspiteofpreviousgoodresolutions，ImusthavegiventheauthortheimpressionthatSirHenryspoketooloudatthebeginningofthissceneandwasinconsequenceinadequateattheend。
\"What！\"criedSardou。\"Heraisedhisvoiceinthatact！Why，it’sascenetobeplayedwiththesoftpedaldown！Thisisthewayitshouldbedone！\"DroppingintoachairinthemiddleoftheroommyhostbeganmimingthegesturesandexpressionofRobespierreasthephantoms（which，afterall，arebutthefigmentsofanover—wroughtbrain）gatheraroundhim。Graduallyheslippedtothefloor，hidinghisfacewithhisupraisedelbow，whisperingandsobbing，butneverraisinghisvoiceuntil，staggeringtowardtheportaltoescape，hemeetstheQueenfacetoface。Thenthewholeforceofhisvoicecameoutinoneawfulcrythatfairlyfrozethebloodinmyveins！
\"Whatateacheryouwouldmake！\"instinctivelyrosetomylipsasheended。
Withacarelesslaugh，Sardouresumedhisshabbyvelvetcap，whichhadfallentothefloor，andanswered：\"Oh，it’snothing！Ionlywantedtoprovetoyouthatthescenewasnotafatiguingoneforthevoiceifplayedproperly。I’mnoactorandcouldnotteach，butanyoneoughttoknowenoughnottoshoutinthatscene！\"
Thiswithsomebitterness，asnewshadarrivedthatIrving’svoicehadgivenoutthenightbefore，andhehadbeenreplacedbyhishalf—bakedsoninthetitlerole，achangehardlycalculatedtoincreaseeitherthebox—officereceiptsorthesuccessofthenewdrama。
Certainominousshadowswhich，likeRobespierre’svisions，hadbeenforsometimegatheringinthecornersoftheroomwarnedmethatthehourhadcomeformytripbacktoParis。
Decliningreluctantlyaninvitationtotakepotluckwithmyhost，IwassoonintheAvenueoftheSphinxagain。Aswestrolledalong，talkingofthepastanditscharm，acoupleofmenpassedus，carryingapieceoffurniturerolledinburlaps。
\"Anotheracquisition？\"Iasked。\"Whatepochhastemptedyouthistime？\"
\"I’msorryyouwon’tstopandinspectit，\"answeredSardouwithatwinkleinhiseye。\"It’ssomethingIboughtyesterdayformybedroom。Anarmchair！PureLoubet！\"
Chapter28—InconsistenciesTHEdinnerhadbeenunusuallylongandthesummereveningwarm。DuringthewaitbeforethedancingbeganImusthavedroppedasleepinthedarkcornerofthepiazzawhereIhadinstalledmyself，tosmokemycigar，awayfromtheothermenandtheirtiresomechatterofgolfandracing。Throughtheopenwindowgroupsofwomencouldbeseenintheball—room，andthemurmuroftheirconversationfloatedout，minglingwiththelaughterofthemen。
Suddenly，inthatcasualwaypeculiartodreams，IfoundmyselfconversingwithasolemnyoungTurk，standinginallthesplendoroffezandstamboulinebesidemychair。
\"Pardon，Effendi，\"hewasmurmuring。\"IsthisanAmericanball？Iwasaskedatnineo’clock；itisnowpasteleven。Istherenotsomemistake？\"
\"None，\"Ianswered。\"Whenahostessputsnineo’clockonhercardofinvitationsheexpectsherguestsatelevenorhalf—
past，andwouldbemuchembarrassedtobetakenliterally。\"
Aswewerespeaking，ourhostrose。Themen，reluctantlythrowingawaytheircigars，begantoentertheball—roomthroughtheopenwindows。Ontheirapproachthegroupsofwomenbrokeup，themenjoiningthegirlswheretheysat，orinvitingthemouttothelantern—litpiazza，wherethecouplesretiredtodim，palm—emboweredcorners。
\"AreyousureIhavenotmadeamistake？\"askedmyinterlocutor，withafaintquiveroftheeyelids。\"Itismyintention，whiletravelling，toremainfaithfultomyharem。\"
Ihastenedtoreassurehimandexplainthathewasinanexclusiveandreservedsociety。
\"Indeed，\"hemurmuredincredulously。\"WhenIwaspassingthroughNewYorklastwinteraladywaspointedouttomeastheownerofmarvellousjewelsandvastwealth，butwithabsolutelynosocialposition。Myinformantaddedthatnowell—bornwomanwouldreceiveherorherhusband。
\"It’sfoolish，ofcourse，butthehandsomewomanwiththecrownonsittinginthecentreofthatcircle，looksverylikethewomanImean。AmIright？\"
\"It’sthesamelady，\"Ianswered，wearily。\"Youarespeakingoflastyear。Noonecouldbeinducedtocallonthecouplethen。Nowweallgototheirhouse，andentertaintheminreturn。\"
\"Theyhavedoubtlessdonesomenobleaction，orthereportsaboutthehusbandhavebeenprovedfalse？\"
\"Nothingofthekindhastakenplace。She’sasuccess，andnooneasksanyquestions！Inspiteofthat，youareinasocietywherethestandardofconductisheldhigherthaninanycountryofEurope，byaraceofwomenmorevirtuous，inallprobability，thanhasyetbeenseen。Thereisnotamanpresent，\"Iadded，\"whowouldpresumetotake，orawomanwhowouldpermit，alibertysoslightevenastherestingofayouth’sarmacrossthebackofherchair。\"
WhileIwasspeaking，aninvisibleorchestrabegantosighoutthefirstpassionatebarsofawaltz。Adozencouplesrose，themenclaspingintheirarmstheslendermatrons，whosesmilingfacessanktotheirpartners’shoulders。Ablondmustachebrushedtheforeheadofagirlasshesweptbyustotherhythmofthemusic，andothercheeksseemedabouttotouchascouplesglidedoninunison。
ThesleepyOrientaleyesofmynewacquaintanceopenedwidewithastonishment。
\"This，youmustunderstand，\"Icontinued，hastily，\"isquiteanothermatter。Thosepeoplearewaltzing。Itisconsideredperfectlyproper，whenthemusiciansoverthereplaycertainmeasures，formentotakeapparentliberties。Ourwomenareinfinitelyself—respecting，andamanwhoputhisarmaroundawoman（inpublic）whileadifferentmeasurewasbeingplayed，orwhentherewasnomusic，wouldbeostracizedfrompolitesociety。\"
\"Iambeginningtounderstand，\"repliedtheTurk。\"Thehusbandsandbrothersofthesewomenguardthemverycarefully。ThosemenIseeoutthereinthedarkaredoubtlesswiththeirwivesandsisters，protectingthemfromtheadvancesofothermen。AmIright？\"
\"Ofcourseyou’renotright，\"Isnappedout，beginningtolosemytemperathisobtuseness。\"Nohusbandwoulddreamoftalkingtohiswifeinpublic，orofsittingwithherinacorner。Everyonewouldbelaughingatthem。Norcouldasisterbeinducedtoremainawayfromtheball—roomwithherbrother。Thosegirlsare`sittingout’withyoungmentheylike，indulginginalittleinnocentflirtation。\"
\"Whatisthat？\"heasked。\"Flirtation？\"
\"AnAmericancustomratherdifficulttoexplain。Itmay，however，beroughlydefinedastheartofleadingamanalongwayontheroadto—nowhere！\"
\"Womenflirtwithfriendsoracquaintances，neverwithmembersoftheirfamily？\"
\"Thehusbandsarethosedejectedindividualswanderingaimlesslyaboutovertherelikelostsouls。Theyaremostlyrichmen，who，havingmarriedbeautifulgirlsforlove，wearthemselvesoutmaintainingelaborateandcostlyestablishmentsforthem。Inreturnforhislaborahusband，however，enjoysbutlittleofhiswife’ssociety，forareallyfashionablewomancanrarelybeinducedtogohomeuntilshehascollapsedwithfatigue。Inconsequence，shecontributeslittlebut`nerves’andtempertothehousehold。Hersweetestsmiles，likeherfreshesttoilets，arekeptforthepublic。ThehusbandisthelastpersonconsideredinanAmericanhousehold。IfyoudoubtwhatIsay，lookbehindyou。Thereisanewlymarriedmanspeakingwithhiswife，andtryingtopersuadehertoleavebeforethecotillionbegins。Noticehisapologeticair！Heknowsheisinterruptingatenderconversationandtakinganunwarrantableliberty。Nothingshortofextremefatiguewoulddrivehimtosuchanextremity。
ThepoormillionnairehashardlylefthisdeskinWallStreetduringtheweek，andonlyarrivedthiseveningintimetodressfordinner。Hewouldgiveafairsliceofhisincomeforanight’srest。See！Hehasfailed，andislightinganothercigar，preparing，withasigh，foralongwait。Itwillbethreebeforemyladyisreadytoleave。\"
Afterasilenceofsomeminutes，duringwhichheappearedtobeturningtheseremarksoverinhismind，theyoungOrientalresumed：\"Thesinglemenwhoabsorbsomuchofyourwomen’stimeandattentionaredoubtlessthemostdistinguishedofthenation，—writers，poets，andstatesmen？\"
Iwasobligedtoconfessthatthiswasnotthecase；that，onthecontrary，thedancingbachelorswereforthemostpartimpecuniousyouthsofabsolutelynoimportance，askedbythehostesstofillin，andsolightlyconsideredthatawomandidnotalwaysrecognizeinthestreetherguestsoftheeveningbefore。
Atthismomentmyneighbor’sexpressionchangedfrombewildermenttoadmiration，asayoungandverylovelymatronthrewherself，panting，intoalowchairathisside。Herdecolletewassodaringthatthedoubtsofhalfanhourbeforewereevidentlyrisingafreshinhismind。Hastilyresumingmytaskofmentor，Iexplainedthatadecolletecorsagewasanabsoluteruleforeveninggatherings。Awomanwhoappearedinahighbodiceorwithherneckveiledwouldbeconsideredlackinginpolitenesstoherhostessasmuchifsheworeabonnet。
\"Withus，womengointotheworldtoshineandcharm。Itisonlynaturaltheyshouldusealltheweaponsnaturehasgiventhem。\"
\"Verygood！\"exclaimedtheastonishedOttoman。\"Butwherewillallthisend？Youbeganbyallowingyourwomentoappearinpublicwiththeirfacesunveiled，thenyousuppressedthefichuandthecollarette，andnowyourobthemofhalftheircorsage。Where，OAllah，willyoustop？\"
\"Ah！\"Ianswered，laughing，\"thetendencyofcivilizationistosimplify；manythingsmayyetdisappear。\"
\"Iunderstandperfectly。Youhavenoprejudiceagainstwomenwearinginpublictoiletsthatweconsiderfittedonlyforstrictintimacy。Inthatcaseyourladiesmaywalkaboutthestreetsinthesecostumes？\"
\"Notatall！\"Icried。\"Itwouldprovokeascandalifawomanweretobeseenduringthedaytimeinsuchattire，eitherathomeorabroad。Thepoliceandthelawcourtswouldinterfere。Eveningdressisintendedonlyforreunionsinprivatehouses，oratmost，tobewornatentertainmentswherethecompanyiscarefullyselectedandthemenaskedfromlistspreparedbytheladiesthemselves。Noladywouldwearaballcostumeorherjewelsinabuildingwherethegeneralpublicwasadmitted。InLondongreatladiesdineatrestaurantsinfulleveningdress，butweAmericans，liketheFrench，considerthatvulgar。\"
\"Yet，lastwinter，\"hesaid，\"whenpassingthroughNewYork，I
wenttoagreattheatre，wheretherewereanorchestraandmanysingingpeople。WerenotthoserespectablewomenIsawintheboxes？TherewerenoMOUCHARABIEStoscreenthemfromtheeyesofthepublic。Wereallthemeninthatbuildingaskedbyspecialinvitation？Thatcouldhardlybepossible，forIpaidanentrancefeeatthedoor。FromwhereIsatI
couldseethat，aseachladyenteredherbox，opera—glasseswerefixedonher，andher`points，’asyousay，discussedbythecrowdofmeninthecorridors，who，apparently，belongedtoquitethemiddleclass。\"
\"Mypoor，innocentPadischa，youdonotunderstandatall。
Thatwastheopera，whichmakesallthedifference。Thehusbandsofthosewomenpayenormousprices，expresslythattheirwivesmayexhibitthemselvesinpublic，deckedinjewelsandsuggestivetoilets。YoucouldbuyawholeharemoffairCircassiansforwhatoneofthoselittlesquareboxescosts。
Aladywhoseentrancecausednosensationwouldfeelbitterlydisappointed。Asarule，sheknowslittleaboutmusic，andcaresstillless，unlesssomesingerisperformingwhoispaidafabulousprice，whichgiveshisnotesapeculiarcharm。
Withusmostthingsarevaluedbythemoneytheyhavecost。
Ladiesattendtheoperasimplyandsolelytoseetheirfriendsandbeadmired。
\"Itgrievesmetoseethatyouareformingapooropinionofourwomankind，fortheyaremorecharmingandmodestthananyforeignwomen。Agirlormatronwhoexhibitsmoreofhershouldersthanyou，withyourEasternideas，thinkquiteproper，wouldsoonerexpirethanshowaninchaboveherankle。
Wehaveourwayofbeingmodestaswellasyou，andthatisoneofourstrongestprejudices。\"
\"NowIknowyouarejoking，\"hereplied，withaslightshowoftemper，\"ortryingtomystifyme，foronlythismorningIwasonthebeachwatchingthebathing，andIsawanumberofladiesinquiteshortskirts—uptotheirknees，infact—
withthethinnestcoveringontheirshapelyextremities。Werethosewomenabovesuspicion？\"
\"Absolutely，\"Iassuredhim，feelinginclinedtotearmyhairatsuchstupidity。\"Can’tyouseethedifference？Thatwasindaylight。Ourcustomsallowawomantoshowherfeet，andevenalittlemore，inthemorning。Itwouldbeconsideredtheacmeofindecencytoletthosebeautiesbeseenataball。
Thelawallowsawomantouncoverherneckandshouldersataball，butshewouldbearrestedifsheappeareddecolleteonthebeachofamorning。\"
Alongsilencefollowed，brokenonlybythemusicandlaughterfromtheball—room。IcouldseemydazedMohammedanremovehisfezandpassanagitatedhandthroughhisdarkhair；thenheturned，andsalutingmegravely，murmured：
\"Itisverykindofyoutohavetakensomuchtroublewithme。
Idonotdoubtthatwhatyouhavesaidisfullofthewisdomandconsistencyofanewcivilization，whichIfailtoappreciate。\"Then，withasigh，headded：\"Itwillbebetterformetoreturntomyowncountry，wheretherearefewerexceptionstorules。\"
Withaprofoundsalaamthegentleyouthdisappearedintothesurroundingdarkness，leavingmerubbingmyeyesandaskingmyselfif，afterall，thedreamlandOrientalwasnotaboutright。Custommakesmanyinconsistenciesappearsologicalthattheynolongercauseuseithersurpriseoremotion。Butcanweexplainthem？
Chapter29—Modern\"CadetsdeGascogne\"
AFTERwitnessingtheperformancegivenbytheComedieFrancaiseintheantiquetheatreatOrange，wedetermined—mycompanionandI—ifeveranotheropportunityofthekindoffered，toattend，bethematerialdifficultieswhattheymight。
Thetheatrical\"stars\"intheircoursesprovedfavorabletotheaccomplishmentofthisvow。Beforetheyearendeditwaswhisperedtousthatthe\"CadetsdeGascogne\"wereplanningatramthroughtheCevennesMountainsandtheirnativeLanguedoc—asortoflaypilgrimagetofamoushistoricandliteraryshrines，avoyagetobeenlivenedbymuchcrowningofbustsandrecitingofversesintheopenair，andincidentally，bytheeatingofGasconydishesandthedegustationofdelicatelocalwines；thewholetoculminatewitharepresentationinthearenaatBeziersofDEJANIRE，LouisGallet’sandSaint—
Saens’slatestwork，underthepersonalsupervisionofthosetwomasters。
Atemptingprogramme，wasitnot，inthesedaysofcockneytoursand\"Cook\"couriers？Atanyrate，onethatwe，withplentyoftimeonourhandsandaweaknessforout—of—the—waycornersanduntroddenpaths，founditimpossibletoresist。
Rostand，inCYRANODEBERGERAC，hasshownusthe\"Cadets\"ofMoliere’stime，afighting，rhyming，devil—may—careband，whoworetheirheartsontheirsleevesandchipsontheirstalwartshoulders；muchsuchabrotherhood，inshort，aswelovetoimaginethatShakespeare，KitMarlowe，Greene，andtheirintimatesformedwhentheymetatthe\"Ship\"tocelebrateasuccessordrinkahealthtothedrama。
Themenwhocomposethepresentsociety（whichhasnowformanyyearsborneanameonlyrecentlymadefamousbyM。
Rostand’sgenius）comedelightfullynearrealizingthehappyconditionsofotherdays，and—lessthefighting—formasjoyousandpicturesqueacompanyastheirhistoricelders。
TheyareforthemostpartSouthern—bornyouths，whoseinterestsandambitionscentrearoundthestage，devoteesatthealtarofMelpomene，ardentloversoflettersandkindredarts，andproudofthedebtthatliteraryFranceowestoGascony。
ItisthepleasantcustomofthiscoterietomeetonwintereveningsinunfrequentedCAFES，transformedbythemforthetimeintoclubs，wheretheyrecitenew—madeverses，discussbooksandplays，enunciateparadoxesthatmaketheverywaitersshudder，and，betweentheir\"bocks，\"planvastrevolutionsintheworldofliterature。
Asthepursuitof\"letters\"is，ifanything，lesslucrativeinFrancethaninothercountries，thequestionofnextday’sdinnerisalsomuchdiscussedamongthesebuddingMolieres，whoareoftenforcedtolearnearlyintheircareers，whenmealshavebeenmeagre，tosatisfythemselveswithrichrhymesanddrinktheirfillofflowingverse。
Fromtimetotimeolderandmoresuccessfulmembersofthecorporationstraybackintothecircle，layingasidetheirlaurelcrownsandOlympianpose，inthesocietyofthenew—
comerstoBohemia。Thesehonorarymembersenjoynothingmorewhenoccasionoffersthantoescapefromthetoilsofgreatnessandjointhe\"Cadets\"intheirsummerjourneystoandfroinFrance，tripswhicharemadetocombinethepleasuresofanoutingwiththeaimsofaliterarycampaign。
ItwasaninvitationtojoinoneofthesetrampsthattemptedmyfriendandmeawayfromParisattheseasonwhenthatcityisatitsbest。Beingunable，onaccountofotherengagements，tostartwiththecohortfromthecapital，wemadeadashforitandcaughtthemupatCarcassonneduringthefetesthatthelittleLanguedoccitywasofferingtoitsguests。
AfterhavingseenAiguesMortes，itwasdifficulttobelievethatanyotherplaceinEuropecouldsuggestmorevividlythedaysofmilitaryfeudalism。St。Louis’stinycityis，however，surpassedbyCarcassonne！
ThankstotwentyyearsofstudiousrestorationbyViolletleDuc，thisantiquejewelshinesinitssettingofslopeandplainasperfectto—day（seenfromthedistance）aswhentheCrusadersstartedfromitscrenelatedgatesfortheconquestoftheHolySepulchre。TheacropolisofCarcassonneiscrownedwithGothicbattlements，thegoldenpolygonofwhosewalls，risingfromRomanfoundationsandlayersofruddyVisigothbricktothestatelymarvelofitsfiftytowers，formsawholethatfewcanviewunmoved。
WefoundtheCadetslunchingontheplatformofthegreatwesternkeep，whileahistoricpageantorganizedintheirhonorwaswindingthroughthesteepmediaevalstreets—acavalcadeofarchers，menatarms，andmany—coloredtroubadours，who，aftereffectingatriumphalentrancetothetownoverlowereddrawbridges，mountedtounfurltheirbanneronourtower。Asthegaudystandardunfoldedontheeveningair，Mounet—Sully’sincomparablevoicebreathedtheverysoulofthe\"Burgraves\"acrossthesilentplainanddownthroughtheechoingcorridorsbelow。Whilewewerestillundertheimpressionofthestirringlines，hechangedhiskeyandwhispered：—
LESOIRTOMBE……L’HEUREDOUCE
QUIS’ELOIGNESANSSECOUSSE，POSEAPEINESURLAMOUSSE
SESPIEDS。
UNJOURINDECISPERSISTE，ETLECREPUSCULETRISTE
OUVRESESYEUXD’AMETHYSTE
MOUILLES。
Nightcameonerethesingingandrecitingended，abalmySouthernevening，litbyathousandfiresfromtowerandbattlementandmoat，theoldwallsglowingredagainstthevioletsky。
Picturethisscenetoyourself，readermine，andyouwillunderstandtheenthusiasmoftheartistsandwritersinourclan。Itneededbutlittleimaginationthentoreconstructthepastandfancyone’sselfbackinthedayswhenthe\"Trancavel\"heldthiscityagainsttheworld。
Sleepthatnightwasfilledwithastrangephantasmagoriaofcrenelatedchateauxandarmoredknights，untilthebrightProvencalsunlightandthecallforahurrieddeparturedispelledsuchillusions。BynoonwewerefarawayfromCarcassonne，mountingtherockyslopesoftheCevennesamidawildandnoblelandscape；thetoweringcliffsofthe\"Causses，\"zebraedbyzig—zagpaths，laybelowus，disclosingglimpsesoffertilevalleyandvine—engarlandedplain。
Oneasksone’sselfinwonderwhytheseenchantingregionsaresounknown。ENROUTEourcompanionswerelikechildrenfreshfromschool，takinghaphazardmealsatthelocalinnsandclamberinggaylyintoanyconveyancethatcametohand。AsourwayledusthroughtheCevennescountry，anothercharmgraduallystoleoverthesenses。
\"IimaginethatCitheronmustlooklikethis，\"murmuredCatulleMendes，aswestoodlookingdownfromasun—bakedeminence，\"withtheGulfofCorinththerewhereyouseethatgleamofwater。\"AshespokehebegandeclaimingthepassagefromSophocles’sOEDIPUSTHEKINGdescriptiveifthatclassicscene。
TwothousandfeetbelowlayIspanhacinaverdantvalley，theRiverTarngleamingamidthecultivatedfieldslikeacimeterthrownonaTurkishcarpet。Ourdescentwasanavalancheoflaughing，singing\"Cadets，\"whorolledinthefresh—cutgrassandchasedeachotherthroughtheripeningvineyards，shoutinglinesfromtragediestogroupsofopen—mouthedfarm—hands，andinvadingthetinyinnsontheroadwithsongandtumult。Aswenearedourgoalitsentirepopulation，headedbythecure，cameouttomeetusandofferthehospitalityofthetown。
Inthemarket—place，oneofournumber，inspiredbytheantiquesolemnityofthesurroundings，burstintothenoblelinesofHugo’sDEVANTDIEU，beforewhichtheawestruckpopulationuncoveredandcrossedthemselves，imagining，doubtless，thatitwasareligiousceremony。
Anotherscenerecursvividlytomymemory。WewereatSt。
Enimie。Ihadopenedmywindowtobreathethenightairaftertheheatanddustofthedayandwatchthemoonlightonthequaintbridgeatmyfeet。Suddenlyfromouttheshadowsthererose（likesoundsinadream）theexquisitetoneofSylvain’svoice，alternatingwiththebaritoneofd’Esparbes。Theywereseatedatthewater’sedge，intoxicatedbythebeautyofthesceneandapparentlyobliviousofallelse。
ThenextdaywaspassedontheTarn，ourtenlittleboatsfollowingeachothersinglefileonthenarrowriver，windingaroundthefeetofmightycliffs，orwanderingoutintosunnypasturelandswheresolitarypeasants，interruptedintheirlabors，listenedinastonishmenttothechorusthunderedfromthepassingboats，andwavedusawelcomeaswemovedby。
Spaceislackingtogivemorethanasuggestionofthosedays，passedineveryknownconveyancefromtheantiquediligencetothehissingtrolley，incompanywithmenwhoseemedtohavelefttheircaresandtheiryearsbehindtheminParis。
OurlaststopbeforearrivingatBezierswasatLaCase，whereluncheonwasservedinthegreathallofthechateau。ArmandSylvestrepresidedattherepast；hisversesalternatedwiththesingingsofEmmaCalve，whohadcomefromherneighboringchateautogreetheroldfriendsandcompatriots，the\"Cadets。\"
Asthemealterminated，morethanoneamongtheguests，I
imagine，felthisheartheavywiththeideathatto—morrowwouldendthispleasantrambleandsendhimbacktotherealitiesoflifeandthedrudgeryofdailybread—winning。
Themorningofthegreatdaydawnedcloudlessandcool。A
laughing，many—coloredthrongearlyinvadedthearena，thewomen’sgaytoiletslendingitsomeresemblancetoaparterreoffantasticflowers。Beforethebellsoundeditsthreestrokesthatannouncedtherepresentation，overtenthousandspectatorshadtakentheirplacesandwerestudyingthegiganticstageanditsfourthousandyardsofpaintedcanvas。
IntheforegroundaclusterofGreekpalacesandtemplessurroundamarket—place；higherupandfurtherbackthecitywalls，mannedbycostumedsentinels，riseagainstmountainssohappilypaintedthattheiroutlinesblendwithnature’sownhandiworkinthedistance，—aworthysettingforastatelydramaandthevaliantcompanyofactorswhohavetravelledfromthecapitalforthissolemnity。