"You are welcome," said the comte, "pray consider yourself as
at home."
"I accept your augury," replied I, "it would be amusing enough
to find that my young prophet had predicted rightly."
"Well then," said my conductor, laughing, "I recommend you to
manage a slip on the staircase, it would be taking possession
after the manner of the ancients."
"No, no, I thank you," answered I; "no falls if you please, they
are not propitious in France."
Whilst we were thus speaking, we were crossing a long suite of
chambers, and reached the one at which we were expected. We
knocked cautiously at a door, which was opened to us with equal
caution. Scarcely had we entered, than Lebel came eagerly forward
to receive us.
"Ah, madame!" cried he, "I began to fear you might not come,
you have been looked for with an impatience--"
"Which can hardly equal mine," interrupted I; "for you were
prepared for your visitor, whilst I have yet to learn who is the
friend that so kindly desires to see me."
"It is better it should be so," added Lebel ; "do not seek either
to guess or discover more, than that you will here meet with
some cheerful society, friends of mine, who will sup at my house,
but with whom circumstances prevent my sitting down at table."
"How!" said I, with affected surprise, "not sup with us?"
"Even so," replied Lebel; and then added with a laugh, "
and
I sit down to supper together! What an idea! No! you will find
that just as the guests are about to sit down at table, I shall
suddenly be called out of the room, and shall only return at
the close of the repast.
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