Volume II Part 17 (1/2)
And saying those words she got out, took her seat in the vis-a-vis, and I found myself very much in the position of Lot's wife, but not motionless
Dear reader, if you have ever been in such a predicae hich I was possessed: if you have never been served in that way, so ive you an idea of usted with the coach, and I juo to the devil I took the first hack which happened to pass, and drove straight to Patu's house, to whoe But very far frohed and said,
”I ith all ht happen toour beautiful Coraline the very first time you are with her”
”I would not have her, for now I despise her heartily” ”Your conteht to have come sooner But, now that is too late to discuss the matter, I offer you, as a compensation, a dinner at the Hotel du Roule”
”Most decidedly yes; it is an excellent idea Let us go”
The Hotel du Roule was famous in Paris, and I had not been there yet
The woance, and she always had twelve or fourteen well-chosen nymphs, with all the conveniences that could be desired Good cooking, good beds, cleanliness, solitary and beautiful groves Her cook was an artist, and her wine-cellar excellent Her naood enough for the purpose Protected by the police, she was far enough from Paris to be certain that those who visited her liberally appointed establish was strictly regulated in her house and every pleasure was taxed at a reasonable tariff The prices were six francs for a breakfast with a nymph, twelve for dinner, and twice that suht I found the house even better than its reputation, and by far superior to the warren
We took a coach, and Patu said to the driver,
”To Chaillot”
”I understand, your honour”
After a drive of half an hour, we stopped before a gate on which could be read, ”Hotel du Roule”
The gate was closed A porter, sporting long ravely examined us He was ate was opened and ent in A woman, blind of one eye, about forty years old, but with a remnant of beauty, came up, saluted us politely, and enquired whether ished to have dinner Our answer being affirmative, she took us to a fine roo women, all very handsome, and dressed alike in raceful reverence; they were all about the saht hair, some with dark; every taste could be satisfied We passed the a feords to each, and made our choice The te chose screamed for joy, kissed us with a voluptuousness which a novice arden until dinner would be ready That garden was very large and artistically arranged to minister to the pleasures of love Madaentlemen, enjoy the fresh air with perfect security in every way; ood health”
The girl I had chosen was sohtful But in the midst of our amorous occupations ere called to dinner We ell served, and the dinner had given us new strength, when our single-eyed hostess came, watch in hand, to announce that time was up Pleasure at the ”Hotel du Roule” was measured by the hour
I whispered to Patu, and, after a few philosophical considerations, addressing hiouvernante, he said to her,
”We will have a double dose, and of course pay double”
”You are quite welcoentlemen”
We went upstairs, and after we had made our choice a second tiarden But once reeably surprised by the strict punctuality of the lady of the house ”Indeed!
this is too o up for the third tiht here”
”A delightful idea which I accept with all my heart”
”Does Madame Paris approve our plan?”
”I could not have devised a better one, gentlemen; it is a masterpiece”
When ere in the roohed at the first ones who had not contrived to captivate us, and by way of revenge these girls told their companions that ere lanky fellows
This time I was indeed astonished at my own choice I had taken a true Aspasia, and I thanked my stars that I had passed her by the first two ti her for fourteen hours