Chapter 8

The reader is not to infer that Desiree was unusually mercenary. That
she was a little addicted to this weakness, is true--who ever knew a
commissionaire that was not? But she had her moments of benevolence,
as well as others, and had really made some sacrifice of her time, and
consequently of her interests, in order to serve Adrienne in her distress.
As for the purchase of myself, that was in the way of her commerce;
and it is seldom, indeed, that philanthropy can overcome the habits of
trade.

Desiree was not wholly without means, and she was in no hurry to reap
the benefit of her purchase. I remained in her possession, according to
my calculation, some two or three years before she ever took me out of
the drawer in which I had been deposited for safe keeping. I was
considered a species of corps de reserve. At the end of that period,
however, her thoughts recurred to her treasure, and an occasion soon
offered for turning me to account. I was put into the reticule, and carried
about, in readiness for any suitable bargain that might turn up.

{corps de reserve = reserve corps; reticule = a large pocketbook}

One day Desiree and I were on the Boulevards Italiens together, when
a figure caught the commissionaire's eye that sent her across the street in
a great hurry. I scarcely know how to describe this person, who, to my
simple eyes, had the appearance of a colonel of the late Royal Guards,
or, at least, of an attache of one of the northern legations. He was
dressed in the height of the latest fashion, as well as he knew how to be;
wore terrible moustaches, and had a rare provision of rings, eye-
glasses, watch-guards, chains, &c.

{Boulevards Italiens = a fashionable Paris street; attache = a diplomat--
European diplomats at this period often wore uniforms}

"Bon jour, monsieur," exclaimed Desiree, in haste, "parole d' honneur, I
scarcely knew you! I have been waiting for your return from Lyons with
the most lively impatience, for, to tell you the truth, I have the greatest
bijou for your American ladies that ever came out of a bleaching
ground--un mouchoir de poche."

{bijou = jewel; mouchoir de poche = pocket handkerchief}

"Doucement--doucement, ma bonne," interrupted the other, observing
that the woman was about to exhibit me on the open Boulevards, an
expose for which he had no longings, "you can bring it to my lodgings--"

{doucement... = not so fast, my good woman; expose = public display}

"Rue de Clery, numero cent vingt--"

{Rue de Clery... = Clery Street, number one twenty"

"Not at all, my good Desiree. You must know I have transacted all my
ordinary business--made my purchases, and am off