His friendship was not to be despised, least of all by a family suspected of disaffection to the state.
He put on his glossy beaver with enormous brim, high curved; his blue coat with brass buttons; his white waistcoat, gray breeches, and top-boots; and marched up to the chateau of Beaurepaire, and sent in his card with his name and office inscribed.
Jacintha took it, bestowed a glance of undisguised admiration on the young Adonis, and carried it to the baroness.

That lady sent her promptly down again with a black-edged note to this effect.
Highly flattered by Monsieur de Riviere's visit, the baroness must inform him that she receives none but old acquaintances, in the present grief of the family, and of the KINGDOM.
Young Riviere was cruelly mortified by this rebuff.

He went off hurriedly, grinding his teeth with rage.
"Cursed aristocrats! We have done well to pull you down, and we will have you lower still.

How I despise myself for giving any one the chance to affront me thus.

The haughty old fool; if she had known her interest, she would have been too glad to make a powerful friend.