Faithful to the system of the "petite maison," he liked to enrich women,--the only beings who know how to receive, because they can always return.

But the poor chevalier could no longer ruin himself for a mistress.

Instead of the choicest bonbons wrapped in bank-bills, he gallantly presented paper-bags full of toffee.

Let us say to the glory of Alencon that the toffee was accepted with more joy than la Duthe ever showed at a gilt service or a fine equipage offered by the Comte d'Artois.

All these grisettes fully understood the fallen majesty of the Chevalier de Valois, and they kept their private familiarities with him a profound secret for his sake.