Page:In a winter city, by Ouida.djvu/60

Rh Maurice, Vicomte des Gommeux, was a young Parisian, famous for leading cotillons and driving piebalds; he followed Mme. de Caviare with the regularity of her afternoon shadow; was as much an institution with her as her anodynes; and much more useful than her courier. To avoid all appearances that might set a wicked world talking, he generally arrived in a city about twenty-four hours after her, and, as she was a woman of good-breeding who insisted on les mœurs, always went to another hotel. He had held his present post actually so long as three years, and there were as yet no signs of his being dismissed and replaced, for he was very devoted; very obedient, very weak, saw nothing that he was intended not to see, and was very adroit at rolling cigarettes.

"Il est si bon enfant!" said the Count de Caviare, to everybody; he really was grateful to the young man, some of whose predecessors had much disturbed his wife's temper and his own personal peace.

"Bon soir, Mesdames," said the Duc de St. Louis, entering the box. "Comtesse, charmé de