CHAPTER I

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AT THE GARE D'ORLEANS.

On Calais quay--At the Custom-house--A lady of the past--Ungallant examiner--Better to reign than serve--Paris--Vanity Fair--Sowing and reaping--Laughing through life--At the Hotel Chatham--A pleasant picture--In maiden meditation--M. Pascal is wise in his generation--The secrets of the Seine--Notre Dame--Ile St. Louis--A mediaeval atmosphere--Victor Hugo--Ghosts of the Hotel Lambert--H. C. again--His little comedy--M. the Inspector--Outraged ladies--"En voiture, messieurs!"--Mystery not cleared--The Orleanais--La Vendee--Garden of France--A dilemma--Polite Chef de Gare--Crossing the Garonne--Land of corn and wine 1

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