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After these words he got up, and wishing me good night, retired to his
chamber.

Notwithstanding my fatigue, it was some time before I could go to sleep, and
even then my rest was disturbed and agitated. I saw confusedly in my dreams all
the persons with whom I had had any intercourse during the day, but all was
without order or connection. Towards daylight only, I fell into a sound sleep,
and did not wake until the pealing of the church bell resounded in my ears.

I rung my bell, for my luxurious predecessor had carried his love of ease so
far, as to have within reach of his hand the string of a bell, the only one of
the kind, no doubt, existing in the village.

Griffo came up immediately with warm water. I saw that Signor Louis de
Franchi had trained this valet-de-chambre tolerably well.

Lucien had already twice asked if I was up, declaring that if at half past
nine I was not awake, he mould come into my room.

It was twenty-five minutes past nine, and so, he soon after made his appear
ance.

He was dressed in the French style, and even in the style of the French
élégant. He had on a black frock coat, a vest de fantaisie, and a pair of white
pantaloons, for even in the beginning of March, white pantaloons were quite
seasonable in Corsica.

He observed that I was looking at him with some degree of astonishment.

“You admire my dress, said he; “this is a new proof of my progress in
civilization.”

“Yes, i’ faith,” answered I, “and I confess my astonishment at finding a
tailor of so much taste and skill in Ajaccio. I shall, with my velvet dress,
look like Jean de Paris alongside of you.”

“My toilet, sir, is pure Humann, so don’t be astonished any more. My brother
and I being exactly of the same size, he has for a joke sent me a complete
Parisian wardrobe, which you will understand I only use upon great occasions; as
for instance, when Monsieur le Préfet passes, when Monsieur le Général,
commander of the 86th department, makes his tour, or, when I receive a guest
like you, sir; particularly as this happy event occurs at a time of such solemn
ceremony as the one we are now about to celebrate.”

There was in this young man a continual tone of irony, controlled by a
superior mind, which, although it frequently placed others in an awkward
situation, never passed the bounds of decorum.

I contented myself with bowing my thanks, while he continued occupied in
carefully drawing on a pair of straw colored kid gloves, measured for his hand
by Boivin, or Rousseau.

Thus, completely dressed, he really looked like an elegant Parisian.

Meanwhile I was finishing my own toilet.

It struck a quarter before ten o’clock.

“Well,” said he, “if you wish to see the play, it is high time for us to take
our seats, unless you should prefer taking breakfast first, which I think would
be much more reasonable.”

“I thank you, I never take breakfast before eleven or twelve o’clock, so I
have plenty of time for the two operations.”

“Come, then.”

I took my hat and followed him.