I am tired to-night, but I came to your salon, since you desired that I should help you in welcoming and entertaining your guests.

You can remain here, Monsieur de Laval, for your presence will not be necessary until I send you my orders.' And so the door closed behind him, and with a long sigh of relief from everyone, from the Empress to the waiter with the negus, the friendly chatter began once more, with the click of the counters and the rustle of the cards just as they had been before he came to help in the entertainment..