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 mustachioes, came out through a side-door and gravely examined us.  He was most likely pleased with our appearance, for the gate was opened and we went 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 we wished to have dinner.  Our answer being affirmative, she took us to a fine room in which we found fourteen young women, all very handsome, and dressed alike in muslin.  As we entered the room, they rose and made us a graceful reverence; they were all about the same age, some with light hair, some with dark; every taste could be satisfied.  We passed them in review, addressing a few words to each, and made our choice.  The two we chose screamed for joy, kissed us with a voluptuousness which a novice might have mistaken for love, and took us to the garden until dinner would be ready.  That garden was very large and artistically arranged to minister to the pleasures of love.  Madame Paris said to us,

“Go, gentlemen, enjoy the fresh air with perfect security in every way; my house is the temple of peace and of good health.”

The girl I had chosen was something like Coraline, and that made me find her delightful.  But in the midst of our amorous occupations we were called to dinner.  We were well 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 himself to madame la gouvernante, he said to her,

“We will have a double dose, and of course pay double.”

“You are quite welcome, gentlemen.”

We went upstairs, and after we had made our choice a second time, we renewed our promenade in the garden.  But once more we were disagreeably surprised by the strict punctuality of the lady of the house.  “Indeed! this is too much of a good thing, madam.”

“Let us go up for the third time, make a third choice, and pass the whole night 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 we were in the room, and after we had made a new choice, the girls laughed at the first ones who had not contrived to captivate us, and by way of revenge these girls told their companions that we were 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 times, as I had now the certainty of possessing her for fourteen hours.  That beauty’s name was Saint Hilaire; and under that name she became famous in England, where she followed a rich lord the year after.  At first, vexed because I had not remarked her before, she was proud and disdainful; but I soon proved to her that it was fortunate that my first or second choice had not fallen on her, as she would now remain longer with me.  She then began to laugh, and shewed herself very agreeable.