it was so manly a renunciation of the fashions which a man so _repandu_
in all circles might be supposed to follow,--as if he were both too great
and too much in earnest for such frivolities. He was evidently a sincere
_bon vivant_, and M. Gandrin had no less evidently taken all requisite
pains to gratify his taste. The Montrachet served with the oysters was
of precious vintage; that _vin de madere_ which accompanied the _potage a
la bisque_ would have contented an American. And how radiant became
Louvier's face when amongst the _entrees_ he came upon _laitances de
carpes_! "The best thing in the world," he cried, "and one gets it so
seldom since the old Rocher de Cancale has lost its renown. At private
houses, what does one get now? _blanc de poulet_, flavourless trash.
After all, Gandrin, when we lose the love-letters, it is some consolation
that _laitances de carpes_ and _sautes de foie gras_ are still left to
fill up the void in our hearts. Marquis, heed my counsel; cultivate
betimes the taste for the table,--that and whist are the sole resources
of declining years. You never met my old friend Talleyrand--ah, no! he
was long before your time. He cultivated both, but he made two mistakes.
No man's intellect is perfect on all sides. He confined himself to one
meal a day, and he never learned to play well at whist. Avoid his
errors, my young friend,--avoid them. Gandrin, I guess this pineapple is
English,--it is superb."

"You are right,--a present from the Marquis of H-------."

"Ah! instead of a fee, I wager. The Marquis gives nothing for nothing,
dear man! Droll people the English. You have never visited England, I
presume, _cher_ Rochebriant?" The affable financier had already made
vast progress in familiarity with his silent fellow-guest.

When the dinner was over and the three men had reentered the salon for