Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-16
evening STAR,
FORMAL INVITATIONS

=. "h6 SUI VI NlVler, the ar
tlst, which We find in the Partisan gossir
Of the Musical World:
Vivier, the celebrated and witty artist
recently passed some time in Paris. on
his return from his summer travels. He
had hardly arrived, when he was invited
to dine with Mons. K, the musical
amateur and rich capitalist. After the
repast, the master and mistress of the
house said to their guest
1--WE hope that we shall have YOU of.en
to dine with us; your plate will always
be ready"
Always 2" said vivier, "that is, in
the fashionable sense of the word"
"By no means We are not persons
of such hollow .politeness. You know
how much we love artists, and Won in
particular. Our home is yours. Come
and dine with US whenever you please.
We should be very glad, if it were every
day."
"In earnest?"
Certainly, we should be much de-
lighted"
"Ah, well, since you are SO cordial, |
agreeable"
owe shall depend, then, upon seeing
you"
The next day. at six o'clock, Vivier.
presented himself.
" You see,' said he, that have ia.
ken your invitation literally. 1 have
come to dine"
=" Ah! it's very kind of you-it is very
| charming" said his hosts, to whom his
arrival appeared to be proper, and quite
original.
The dinner was very gay, and the ar
tlst, on taking leave, received many COM
pliments.
The next day, just as they were about
to set down to dinner, Vivier again ap-
peared.
Here [ am, exact, punctual and faith.
ful to my promise. But it is singular,
he continued. fixing a penetrating and
qpizzical look upon the faces of bis hosts,
lit is slngular-yOu appear surprised
did you not expect me z"
.''Oh, certainly, you give US much plea.
sure" the Amphitryon replied, with a
forced smile.
$50 much the better"
Vivier sat down, was in his happiest
vein, played the agreeable to all the fam
lily, anu seemed unconscious that he had
all the burden of entertaining, and that
except few monosyllables, the converse
tien was reduced to mere monologue.
On the fourth day, at six O'Clock re-
cisely, the obstinate guest once more pre-
sented himself. This time coldness and
constraint were very perceptible, AND
Vivier spoke of it.
The mistress of the house replied stiff
fly, 1t is only because we feared you
would not fare well; we have so poor a
dinrer to-day"
81 thought you expected me, but it is
of no consequence. / am not particular.
| wish only the pleasure of your socie-
ty."
He seated himself with perfect COM
posure, ate heartily, then turning to
Madame, with complimentary air, he
said:
What could you mean2 This din
ner is quite as good as the others. Ex-
cellent fare! upon my word ] should
desire nothing better"
The next dsy-it was the fifth-Vivier
arrived as usual. The porter met him
at the door" Monsieur x is not at
home. He dimes down town to-day"
"Ah! very we'll! But 1 forgot my
great coat yesterday; must ask the
servant for it," and darting across the
threshold and up the staircase, he knock
ed. The door was opened. unsupported
spparition
Your porter is simpleton," said
Vivier gaily. "He pretended that 20 u
had gone out. knew that he was mis-
taken. But what long faces What
sombre and melancholy air! Has any
thing happened 2 ANY accident, any
misfortune Tell me, that l may offer
my sympathies."
All dinner-time the witty artist con.
tinued and redouhled his entreaties that
the supposed miafortune might be con-
fded to him. He complained of their
reserve, and INDUCED himself in all sorts
Of conjectures and questions.
"Have you lost money in specula-
tiOns missed an inheritance heard bad
music received visit from trouble.
some borel Have you been wounded in
your affections in your fortunes inl
your ambition Y"
Then, at ths dessert, bursting into a
fit Of langhtsr, he said:
81 know what is the matter, and what
troubles yea. 1t il your invitation, so
cordially made, and so literally accepted.
/ thought that would make the trial,
suspecting that you would not endure me
long. To-day, you shut the door against
me; and tomorrow, if / should return,
you would throw me out of the window.
But you will net catch me here. / wish
you good evening"