- The Count De B-, Of Whom The
Bookseller At The Quai De Conti Had Spoke So Handsomely The Night
Before, Came Instantly Into My Mind.
- And why should I not go,
thought I, to the Count de B-, who has so high an idea of English
books and English men - and tell him my story?
So I changed my mind
a second time. - In truth it was the third; for I had intended that
day for Madame de R-, in the Rue St. Pierre, and had devoutly sent
her word by her fille de chambre that I would assuredly wait upon
her; - but I am governed by circumstances; - I cannot govern them:
so seeing a man standing with a basket on the other side of the
street, as if he had something to sell, I bid La Fleur go up to
him, and enquire for the Count's hotel.
La Fleur returned a little pale; and told me it was a Chevalier de
St. Louis selling pates. - It is impossible, La Fleur, said I. - La
Fleur could no more account for the phenomenon than myself; but
persisted in his story: he had seen the croix set in gold, with
its red riband, he said, tied to his buttonhole - and had looked
into the basket and seen the pates which the Chevalier was selling;
so could not be mistaken in that.
Such a reverse in man's life awakens a better principle than
curiosity: I could not help looking for some time at him as I sat
in the remise:
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