Accordingly the tyrant, Blazius and Scapin repaired to the orangery, which was at a little distance from the chateau and admirably calculated for the purpose it was now to serve, and where they found everything necessary to convert it into a temporary theatre.

Whilst this work is going forward we will make our amiable, indulgent readers acquainted with the fair mistress of the chateau—­having heretofore forgotten to mention that the Marquis de Bruyeres was a married man; he thought of it so seldom himself that we may surely be pardoned for this omission.  As can be readily imagined, from our last remark, love had not been the moving cause in this union.  Adjoining estates, which, united in one, formed a noble domain, and equality of rank had been the chief considerations.  After a very brief honeymoon, during which they had become painfully aware of a total want of congeniality, the marquis and marquise—­like well-bred people, making no outcry about their matrimonial failure—­had tacitly agreed to live amicably under the same roof, but entirely independent of each other—­he to go his way and she hers, with perfect freedom.  They always treated each other in public, and indeed whenever they chanced to meet, with the greatest courtesy, and might easily have been mistaken by a casual observer for an unusually happy and united pair.  Mme. la Marquise occupied a sumptuous suite of apartments in the chateau, which her husband never thought of entering without first sending to ascertain whether it would be convenient for madame to receive him, like a formal visitor.  But we will avail ourselves of the time-honoured privilege of authors, and make our way into the noble chatelaine’s bed-chamber, without any form or ceremony—­feeling sure of not disturbing its fair occupant, since the writer of a romance wears upon his finger the wonder-working ring of Gyges, which renders him invisible.

It was a large, lofty room, hung with superb tapestry representing the adventures of Apollo, and exhibiting every luxury that wealth could procure.  Here also a bright wood fire was, burning cheerily, and the Marquise de Bruyeres sat before her dressing table, with two maids in attendance upon her, absorbed in the all-important business of putting the finishing touches to her extremely becoming as well as effective toilet.  Mme. la Marquise was a handsome brunette, whose embonpoint, which had succeeded to the slender outline of early youth, had added to her beauty; her magnificent black hair, which was one of her ladyship’s greatest charms, was dressed in the most elaborate fashion—­an intricate mass of glossy braids, puffs and curls, forming a lofty structure, and ornamented with a large bow of crimson ribbon, while one long curl fell upon her fair neck, making it look all the whiter by contrast.  Her dress of crimson silk, cut very low, displayed to advantage—­the plump, dimpled shoulders, and her snowy bosom, and from a band of black velvet round her throat was suspended