party.  Perhaps ’twas this fact, rather than a wish to comply with Mr. Morris’s requests, that induced Calvert to accept the many invitations extended to him, and, in the constant delight and charm of Adrienne’s presence, his caution deserted him and he gradually found himself forgetting the wide gulf between them, of which he had thought so much at first, and eagerly watching for her wherever he went.  He was engaged for innumerable pleasure-parties, dinners a la matelote, evenings with Madame de Chastellux, when the Abbe Delille read his verses, the theatre and opera with Gardell and Vestris, about whom all Paris was wild, and water-picnics on the Seine.  In early June, at the express wish of the Duchesse d’Orleans, Mr. Calvert and Mr. Morris, with Madame d’Azay and Adrienne, made a visit to Her Highness at Raincy.  The gardens and park of this old castle were so beautiful that Calvert would have liked nothing better than to linger in them with Adrienne for all the long summer day, but the Duchess, being very devout, demanded the presence of her guests in the chapel of the chateau to hear mass.  Mr. Calvert read another sign of the times in the conduct of Monsieur de Segur and Monsieur de Cubieres during mass, who furnished immoderate amusement to Her Highness’s guests by putting lighted candles in the pockets of the Abbe Delille while he was on his knees.

“Truly an edifying example to the domestics opposite and the villagers worshipping below,” thought Calvert to himself.  “If they but knew what triflers these beings are whom they look up to as their superiors, their respect would be transformed to contempt.”  And this thought occurred to him again when, at dinner, which was served under a large marquise on the terrace of the chateau, a crowd of the common people gathered at a respectful distance and looked enviously at the exalted company as it dined.

It was at one of these numerous pleasure-parties with which Paris sought to banish care and anxiety that Mr. Calvert and Mr. Morris first heard the astounding news of Necker’s dismissal, which woke the city from its false trance of security.  They were at the hotel of the Marechal de Castries, whither they had driven for breakfast, when his frightened secretary, calling him from the table, told him the news which he had just heard.  Monsieur de Castries, containing himself with difficulty during the rest of the meal, at which was gathered a large and mixed company, drew the American gentlemen aside as soon as possible and confided to them the disastrous intelligence he had just received.

“The King sent Monsieur de la Luzerne with the message,” he said.  “He found Necker at dinner, and, exacting a promise of absolute secrecy, delivered to him the King’s decree.  Without a word Monsieur Necker proposed to his wife a visit to some friends, but went instead to his place at St. Ouen, and at midnight set out for Brussels.”

“What madness!” exclaimed Mr. Morris.  “Does the King, then, not realize that he is no longer the power in the state?  The National Assembly will not tolerate Necker’s dismissal.  Will you not go instantly to Versailles and try to undo this fatal blunder of the King?” he asked.  Monsieur de Castries shook his head despondingly.