Granville's estate

The ball at the residence of the Vicomte de Bourgogne lasted until late, and at nearly two o'clock, according to the usual practice of the ball, the last dance was to be danced.For the question of whether the last dance should be a waltz or a polka, the people around His Royal Highness the Count of Artois had a heated discussion—although there are so many noble men, the one who played a decisive role in this matter It was the proposal of the beautiful Marquise de Simone—afterwards, it was agreed that the Gautieron should be danced, which fully displayed the vitality of youth, and that the number should not be limited to eight.

In other words, in accordance with His Royal Highness the earl's will, when the music of Gautier's dance sounded, the entire second, third and fourth halls became a sea of ​​dancing people.This is probably the grandest, brightest and most intoxicating large-scale ball that Louis has ever seen in his life: the light of the crystal lamp shines on everyone in the magnificent hall, and the band plays the most beautiful music. One kilometer away, the birds that landed on the branches were startled; the men were all in high spirits, and the ladies were radiant, and all of them moved with the rhythm of the band to their heart's content, beating the beat of the tune tirelessly under their feet.When they exchanged positions, they were like streams of radiant water, which dazzled the people who watched on the second floor and those who were in it.

When dancing the last Gautier dance, the attentive host had already arranged a sumptuous supper for the guests, and before the last note of the dance music was played, the servants brought the supper up.

The variety of late-night snacks offered this time is more abundant than during the previous intermission: countless crystal cups are stacked in the shape of a pyramid on a movable table that can be pushed, and inside are golden and transparent punches. Lit, the blue flame flickers on the transparent liquid; the attractive sorbet is served in a beautifully patterned cup, served with a gold-plated spoon, served on a silver plate, and there is a manservant at a gesture Delivered to the guests; besides punch and ice cream, there are other drinks: English black tea, almond sorbet and other fruit juices. Desperate ham sandwiches, bite-sized Breton petit fours and other English cakes, all delicious - in short, a meal that comes with your guests A sumptuous supper that can be called extravagant.

During the supper, because everyone knew that according to the rule of "the person with high status leaves first", His Royal Highness the Count of Artois would definitely leave before the official end of the ball; Enter the second hall where His Highness is, hoping to have the honor to say a word to His Highness, get a compliment or a look - Louis even saw a gentleman wearing a medal stepping on another gentleman's Shoes, just to force that unfortunate gentleman out of his place!

Louis originally didn't want to go to the crowded second hall to join in the fun like everyone else, but Alrede was probably also infected by the frenzied atmosphere. He dragged Louis into the second hall and squeezed into a barely-there place among the crowd. I could see the position of His Royal Highness the Earl of Artois, and then I couldn't get closer because there were too many people.

"Now I understand a little bit about my father's thoughts and what he expects me to do, Louis." Alrede looked at the direction where His Highness the Earl of Artois was, and whispered to Louis: "It's just a matter of being able to see His Highness. Can make everyone so excited, those who can accompany His Highness and the King every day, how happy they are!"

"Probably." Louis replied a little absent-mindedly. Because he was shorter than Alred, he had to stand on tiptoe a little to see His Royal Highness the Count of Artois over the people in front of him—in all fairness, he could see the figure of the nobleman. The incomparable His Royal Highness is really exciting, especially when this Highness must be the next King of France in the future, who can remain calm and rational when seeing the King?However, among the people standing beside His Royal Highness was his old classmate Viscount Calliste de Durand, which made Louis feel very mixed.

When Louis saw Callister, the latter was standing next to His Royal Highness the Earl of Artois, leaning slightly, listening to His Highness the Earl with a respectful attitude—I have to admit that the young and handsome Callis The Viscount de Durand stood out among the group of elderly nobles who accompanied His Royal Highness like a swan among wild ducks. Everyone who saw this gentleman would praise him for being handsome, young and promising. Who would have thought of such a man? What about someone who is trusted by His Highness, but secretly wants to do something that violates morality and religion to another gentleman?If Louis told what happened in the small lounge, probably no one would think that it was true and credible, but would only think that he was delusional and had a ridiculous hallucination?

Callister didn't find Louis among the crowd, and of course, he didn't need to find Louis and say goodbye to him—after eating supper, he followed His Highness's order like other nobles who served the Earl of Artois. The carriages left together; after His Royal Highness the Earl left the ball, following the rules of the upper class, others began to bid farewell to their masters one after another.

When Louis and Allred said goodbye to the master of the mansion, the Vicomtesse de Bourgogne asked the two young guests: "Gentlemen, did you have a good time tonight? There are too many guests tonight. If there is any place where the hospitality is not thoughtful and neglected, please do let me know."

"Ah, ma'am, your generosity and thoughtfulness are all complimented," said Allred. "How can there be any neglect!"

"Yes, ma'am," said Louis, without mentioning a word of the valet at the House of Bourgogne who had opened the door for the Vicomte de Durand: "This is the grandest and most awe-inspiring thing I have ever seen." It is a great honor for us to see such a grand event and so many distinguished adults, thanks to you for letting us come here!"

"Ah, I'm so happy if you think so!" Madam said happily, and she told them extra: "It's a bit windy outside now, please take care to avoid the wind on your way back, and don't catch cold."

"Okay, ma'am, thank you for your concern."

After saying goodbye to the Viscountess de Bourgogne and the Viscount de Bourgogne, Louis and Alred boarded the carriage and walked to No. 79 St. George Street. It was already past three o'clock when they returned to their residence .

At this time, most of the people in the whole city had already fallen asleep. Perhaps it was because of seeing His Royal Highness the Count of Artois at the ball and having supper, Alred was still very energetic; In such a lively atmosphere, Louis' sleepiness could not be suppressed at all, and he almost fell asleep in the carriage.

As soon as he got back to No. 79, St. George Street, Louis just wanted to lie down on the big comfortable bed in Alred. He yawned and asked Joseph to help him take off his coat with half-closed eyes. A little accident - the note received at the ball and later forgotten by Louis in his sleeve fell out.

"Alas, our little Louis has received a love letter!"

Before Louis found out, Alred picked up the folded little thing first, and teased him in front of Louis: "Which lady gave this to you? I knew our little Louis must be very happy." popular!"

It was only then that Louis remembered that there was such a note that he had forgotten. He was worried that if he opened it, it might damage the reputation of the lady he didn't know, so he reached out to snatch the note back: "This is my Picked it up at the ball, Al, you get the candle, let's burn it!"

"Don't try to lie to me, how can you pick up this kind of thing casually, someone must have given it to you on purpose." Alred, who is familiar with the little tricks of the nobles, didn't give Louis a chance to snatch it back. The strip was torn apart, and she went to the candle to read the content on it: "Let me see what is written...Pei Yang?"

"Do you remember which lady gave it to you?" Alred encouraged his friend enthusiastically, "The Peyon Terrace is in the Tuileries Garden, and like the Bois de Boulogne, everyone likes to go for a walk in the afternoon." place, let’s go there tomorrow—I can sacrifice the time to meet Margaret for you, maybe this is God’s arrangement for your marriage!”

"Stop teasing me, Al."

Knowing that there was no information on the note that would affect the lady's reputation, Louis breathed a sigh of relief, but just in case, he snatched the note while Alred was not paying attention: "I don't want to think about marriage just yet, and besides, I plan to go back to Magon in a few days."

"Oh, why did you suddenly say you were going back!" Alred yelled unhappily, "There are many places in Paris that I haven't taken you to!"

"I was in a hurry when I went to Chablis, and now it's the busiest time of the year, and my housekeeper may not be able to handle it alone." Louis said, trying not to let himself think about the person he met tonight. Person: "I have seen the most grand ball in Paris tonight, and you have a clear plan for your goals in Paris. In this case, why should I stay here? To be honest, this city, I don't really like her very much; and my lord count, he is probably eagerly waiting for me to tell him about you."

No matter how Alrede persuaded him, Louis made up his mind. If there is no unexpected situation, he will leave the city in a few days and go to Chablis to report the situation of Alred to Earl Fernand, and then Go back to Magon.

However, even Louis himself didn't expect that this so-called "accident" came so quickly that everyone didn't expect it-he fell ill.