She was dressed
in a black velvet cloak with white lace at the neck and sleeves, and she
wore a black hat with a curling white feather. Her companion was
shorter, with a countenance which would have been plain had it not been
for the alert expression and large dark eyes, which gave it charm and
character. A small black terrier dog had followed them in, but the
first lady turned and handed the thin steel chain with which she led it
to the Mameluke attendant.
'You had better keep Fortune outside, Roustem,' said she, in a
peculiarly sweet musical voice. 'The Emperor is not very fond of dogs,
and if we intrude upon his quarters we cannot do less than consult his
tastes. Good evening, Monsieur de Talleyrand! Madame de Remusat and I
have driven all along the cliffs, and we have stopped as we passed to
know if the Emperor is coming to Pont de Briques. But perhaps he has
already started. I had expected to find him here.'
'His Imperial Majesty was here a short time ago,' said Talleyrand,
bowing and rubbing his hands.
'I hold my _salon_--such a _salon_ as Pont de Briques is capable of--this
evening, and the Emperor promised me that he would set his work
aside for once, and favour us with his presence.
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