Granville's estate

The appearance of the Baroness Claudia de Portandière, who had arrived at the house of Bourgogne with Garbien de Durand, was enough to overshadow all the women around her with her beauty.This lady was wearing a very demure and elegant off-white evening dress, and her hair, which was braided naturally, did not have too many diamond ornaments, but rather beautiful flowers made of tulle and pearls.It is conceivable that after this ball, tomorrow's popular hair accessories will probably be such a fresh embellishment-in Paris, the preferences of noble ladies like the Baroness de Portand-Diere are the vane of fashion, and any of their A whim can set off a new trend!

After the Baroness Claudia de Portanduil arrived the Marchioness de Simone, who was also quite beautiful.Although she is a noble marquise, this lady is very young. She is wearing a very gorgeous red evening dress. The puffed skirt is covered with pleats made of tulle, taffeta and flowers. Wearing a dazzling ruby ​​and diamond necklace around her neck, her whole face was radiant, and she was very sure that no one present could take away her brilliance.

The two ladies are equally beautiful and have different temperaments. When they appear together, they look like the goddess of the sun and the goddess of the moon, almost making the other ladies on the first floor except the hostess a foil.

It was not her husband who accompanied the Marquise de Simon, but the nephew of the Marquis de Simon who was only a few years older than the Marquise—it is said that the Marquis de Simon treated his young lady like a dragon treating himself Treasures in the lair, this lord does not mind that his beloved gems are displayed under the brightest lights, but no one wants to get his hands on his favorite spoils in this life, so he said The honest and reliable nephew became a most loyal knight when needed, and also the most reliable valet and watcher.

"It's really strange. It's okay to see Viscount de Durand. After all, I heard that he doesn't like this kind of occasion very much, but even the Marquis de Simon didn't come." Alred whispered to Louis rather puzzled, "De The Marquise Simon likes to have fun, and is keen on balls and banquets. Basically, wherever the Madam appears, the Marquis will also appear there. Logically speaking, he will not miss such an occasion!"

This doubt was answered when the dance was about to begin.

09:30——This time is the start time of the dance party on the invitation of the Viscountess de Bourgogne. The band has begun to play relaxed and cheerful music, but the host is still standing in the second hall quite leisurely, as if still What awaits a distinguished guest in general.

There was a whisper among the guests at a very fast speed, and soon, this rumor was confirmed-there was indeed a very distinguished guest who had not yet arrived at the ball tonight, and it could even be said that now In the whole of France, apart from their Majesty the King who is currently in poor health, there will be no more honorable guest than this guest-the legal heir to the French throne, ted'Artois, His Royal Highness the Count of Artois!

"My God, Louis!" When he heard the news for the first time, Alred grabbed Louis' arm quite excitedly, pulled him away from the previous position, and then firmly occupied a place where he could clearly see The new place in the atrium on the first floor ignored the protests of the two gentlemen who had occupied the original ample space: "That's His Royal Highness! Who would have thought that His Royal Highness the Count of Artois would also come to this ball? Unexpected surprise, I dare say this may be the closest we have ever been to the Palace of Versailles in our lives!"

Because Alred was too excited, his words were a bit confused, but Louis didn't bother to correct him - although he was not the kind of fanatical convert who believed that all diseases could be cured by the king's touch, but he could see it with his own eyes. No matter who they are, they will be excited when they see a big man with a high status in the rumors.

Count Artois arrived later than any of the guests, but it was also understandable, the grandeur always had to be grand!At about ten o'clock, there was a commotion outside the entrance hall. At this time, all the barriers from the entrance hall to the second hall were removed, and the door was opened. First, a group of palace attendants in court uniforms, and then generals , ambassadors and dignified people wearing various medals walked in, surrounded by the most central Count Artois.

The earl, who became the legal heir to the throne because his elder brother had no heirs, was more distinguished than anyone present. Although his age was 66 years old, which is considered a long-lived person in this era, it was definitely not A gentle and loving grandfather, but a man who went to war himself, wrested their brother's kingdom from Napoleon Bonaparte, and founded the once fearsome secret police force , a strong and extreme believer in the "divine right of the monarch", trying to restore the power of the King of France to the most conservative of the Sun King era-after all, he himself will be the future king of France.

At this time all the guests crowded into the second hall, vying to witness the demeanor of the future French king-it is said that the earl just wanted to "go to Madame de Bourgogne's party on a whim two hours ago." Let’s take a look.” As a descendant of the Sun King, this earl has always respected the rules of the Sun King’s era, that is, “The king’s most trivial idea is also the country’s top priority, as long as he thinks, everything must be done”; Even if the earl is not yet the king of France, it will only be a matter of time - that's why this sudden arrival of a big man came tonight.

Among the crowd accompanying Count Artois, Louis was surprised to see their old classmate Viscount Calliste de Durand.Because the nobles and attendants gathered around the Earl of Artois were relatively old, the young Viscount was quite conspicuous in the crowd, especially with the Marquis de Simon beside him as a contrast—this Although the Marquis is also 60 years old, he looks much older than the Count of Artois. His face is full of wrinkles and spots, and the corners of his eyes are drooping. When he looks at people, his eyes are creepy. With half a foot in the coffin, it is hard to believe that this is the husband of the young and beautiful Marquise de Simone, not her grandfather!

Viscount Calliste de Durand walked outside the center of the crowd. Obviously, compared with other nobles who are closer to the Count of Artois, if he wants to continue to be reused by the Count, he still needs more effort and a little time The accumulation of gifts over age.When Louis saw him, the Viscount should have noticed Louis and Alred on the second floor, but he didn't show any surprise or other emotions, and he didn't even change his expression, he just glanced at them and turned away out of sight.

"No wonder the Marquis de Simone didn't show up with his wife. It turned out that he was going to accompany the Count Artois." Alred completely ignored their old classmate, but leaned out from the second floor quite frantically Half of the body, trying to see His Royal Highness the Count of Artois more clearly.

"Al, be careful, don't fall!" Louis had to remind his friend, this was a rather rude behavior, but he saw that Alred was not the only young man doing this, so he didn't stop him .

At this time, the Viscountess de Bougogne and the Viscount de Bougogne, who are the hosts, have already greeted them, expressing their thanks for the arrival of this noble Highness for adding luster to their mansion.

Count Artois's speech was very powerful, firm and royal, and he didn't look like an old man in his 60s: "Sir, madam, I am very happy to come here to share your joy, please enjoy the wonderful Come to the night, this is the common glory of France."

"Ah, Your Highness, your coming is like a shepherd coming to his flock. Your generosity and humility will make all the people here owe your favor."

After the brief greetings between the guests and the host, a messenger in palace uniform stood up next to the Count of Artois. One of the court traditions of the Sun King era, the meaning of the big man will never be announced by himself, but must be conveyed by the attendants around him, even if the person listening to him is right in front of him; such a tradition is about to disappear now, Although it is only a trivial detail, it can be expected that once His Highness the younger brother ascends the throne, there is a high probability that he will not be a relatively enlightened and gentle king like his elder brother.

"Your Royal Highness the Count of Artois has a message," the messenger announced to everyone in the second hall with a rather loud voice, his voice could be heard even in the fourth hall, "gentlemen bathed in the grace of France Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy yourself to the fullest!"

As soon as the messenger's voice fell, all the attendants in the Viscount de Bougogne's mansion cheered in unison, and at the same time, the music played by the musicians at the most appropriate time sounded.

"Long live!"