CHAPTER XI.
THE MAN-MILLINER.
Gaston de Gandelu was much surprised at finding that Andre should be ignorant of the existence of Van Klopen, the best-known man in Paris.
To assure oneself of this, it was only necessary to glance at his circulars, which were ornamented with the representations of medals won at all sorts of exhibitions in different quarters of the world, together with various decorations received from foreign potentates.

One had been presented to him by the Queen of Spain, while he had a diploma appointing him the supplier to the Court of the Czar.

The great Van Klopen was not an Alsatian, as was generally supposed, but a stout, handsome Dutchman, who, in the year 1850, had been a tailor in his small native town, and manufactured in cloth, purchased on credit, the long waistcoats and miraculous coats worn by the wealthy citizens of Rotterdam.

Van Klopen, however, was not successful in his business, and was compelled to close his shop and abscond from his creditors.

He took refuge in Paris, where he seemed likely to die of hunger.