"Have you visited Paris since the restoration, Lord Doningdale," asked
Maltravers.
His lordship looked at him sharply, and then turned his eye to Madame de
Ventadour.
"Nay," said Valerie; laughing, "I did not dictate the question."
"Yes," said Lord Doningdale, "I have been at Paris."
"His Majesty must have been delighted to return your lordship's hospitality."
Lord Doningdale looked a little embarrassed, and made no reply, but put his horse into a canter.
"You have galled our host," said Valerie, smiling. "Louis XVIII. and his friends lived here as long as they pleased, and as sumptuously as they could; their visits half ruined the owner, who is the model of a /gentilhomme/ and /preux chevalier/. He went to Paris to witness their triumph; he expected, I fancy, the order of the St. Esprit. Lord Doningdale has royal blood in his veins. His Majesty asked him once to dinner, and, when he took leave, said to him, 'We are happy, Lord Doningdale, to have thus requited our obligations to your lordship.' Lord Doningdale went back in dudgeon, yet he still boasts of his /souvenirs/, poor man."
"Princes are not grateful, neither are republics," said Maltravers.
"Ah, who is grateful," rejoined Valerie, "except a dog and a woman?"
Maltravers found himself ushered into a vast dressing-room, and was informed, by a French valet, that in the country Lord Doningdale dined at six—the first bell would ring in a few minutes. While the valet was speaking, Lord Doningdale himself entered the room. His lordship had learned, in the meanwhile, that Maltravers was of the great and ancient commoner's house whose honours were centred in his brother; and yet more, that he was the Mr. Maltravers whose writings every one talked of, whether for praise or abuse. Lord Doningdale had the two characteristics of a high-bred gentleman of the old school—respect for birth and respect for talent; he was, therefore, more than ordinarily courteous to Ernest, and pressed him to stay some days with so much cordiality, that Maltravers could not but assent. His travelling toilet was scanty, but Maltravers thought little of dress.