143 niS EXCELLENCY



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AT counT

Towards seven o'clock on the evening of her arrival at
Gompiegne, Glorinde was engaged in conversation with M. de
Plouguem near one of the windows in the Gallery of the
Maps. They were waiting for the Emperor and Empress
before entering the dining-room. The second batch of the
season's guests had scarcely been more than three hours at
the ch&teau, and all of them had not yet come down firom
their rooms. Glorinde occupied herself by briefly criticising
them as they entered the gaUery, one b^ one. The ladies, in
low dresses, and wearing flowers in theur hair, put on smiles
as soon as they reached the threshold ; while the gentlemen,
wearing white cravats, black knee-breeches, and silk stockings,
preserved a solemn air.
'Ah; here comes the Ghevalierl' muttered Glorinde.
' He looks very nice, doesn't he ? But just look at M. Beulin-
d'Orchdre, godfather I Doesn't he look as though he were
going to bark ? And, good heavens, what legs 1 '

M. de Plouguem began to grin, much amused by this
backbiting. Ghevalier Busconi came up and bowed to
Glorinde, with the languid gallantry of a handsome Italian ;
then he made the round of the ladies, swaying to and fro with
a series of gentle rhythmical reverences. A few yards away,
Delestang, looking very serious, was examining the huge maps
of the Forest of Gompi^e, which covered the walls of the
gallery.
