Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-04

couvreur at the Theatre Francois. some
scattered groups of persons evidently pos
sessing consequence. The chairs OF others,
from more distant locations threading their
way through the narrow; dark and unlight'
ed streets of the old. crude capital OF
France. brought their passengers in time to
scene far different from that or the
gloomy streets
The little supper of the regent. arranged
in the private sale. whose decorations had
been devised for the special purpose, was
more enhancing than even the glltter>of the
mimic world of the Theatre Francois. There
extended down the center of the room,
though filling but small portion of its
vast extent, the grand table provided for
the banquet. reach of snowy linen, broken
at the upper end by the arm OF an abb
breviated cross. At each end of this cross
arm stood magnificent oandelabra, repeated
at intervals along the greater extension Of
the board. Noble epergnes. flied with the
choicest plants found their reflections In
plates of glass cunningly inlaid here and
there upon the surface OF the table. Vast
mirrors. framed in wreaths of roses and
surmounted by little laughing cupids.
CLEANED in the walls of the room. and in
the faces of these mirrors were reflected
the beams Of the many-colored tapers, car
ried in brackets of engraved gold and silver
and many-colored glasses. The ceiling Of
the room was soft mass of slken dra-
peries, depending edgewise from above,
thousands Of yards of the most expensive
fabrics OF the world. From these, as they
Visible ans dc bsaah Of n
GUS perfumes. ntoxfeearfnE to the senses
On any hand vvithaAz the great room, re-
moved at some DISTANCE from the table,
were rich. luxurious c9Nehesy and divans
AS one trod Within the door Of this temple
OF the senses. .sure1y 1T must have seemed
to him that he Had 10 Ebfne, into another world
which at first glance might have appeared
to be one OF an unrighteous ease. an I'M
principled enjoyment, and an unmaniy
abandonment to e4b9Mered vice. Yet here
II was that Philippe ofl Orleans ruler of
France, spent those ,.haurs most dear to
him. If he gave thapgH to affairs OF state
during the day 1t was but that these affairs
OF state might give to him the means to in
dulge fancies OF his pFF, Alike shrewd and
was that Philippe heid bis real court.
These young gentlemen of France these
roues who have come TO meet Philippe at
MS little stpper-hewsTdineren from the
same beings under the rule of the Grand
Monaruue. Their coats are no longer dark
in hue. Their silks and velvets have bios
Somed out. even as Paris has bfossomed
, since the death of Louis the Grand Jabots
or lace are shown In fall abundance, and so
Iar from the adjustment of jewels from
their garo. rubies. sapphires, diamonds
sparkle everywhere from the clasp Of the
nign runfes OF the neck to the buckles of
the red-heefed shoes Powder sfarkIes on
the head coverings of these new gallants Of
france; They step daintily, yet not un-
gracefully. into this brilliantly lighted room,
these creatures. gracious and resplendent
sparkling, painted. ephemera1. not unsuited
| to the place and hour. sss
For the ladies' witness the attire. for In
stance of that Madame de Isencin. the
costume, with pannier more than five yards
| In circumference, under skirt OF silver
gauze trimmed with golden gauze and pink
] Grape. and a train lying six yards upon the