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assume the extra nicety and elegance of dress which a young man of
fashion often lays aside for a certain negligence which in itself is
not devoid of grace. Charles therefore brought with him a complete
hunting-costume, the finest gun, the best hunting-knife in the
prettiest sheath to be found in all Paris. He brought his whole
collection of waistcoats. They were of all kinds,--gray, black, white,
scarabaeus-colored: some were shot with gold, some spangled, some
_chined_; some were double-breasted and crossed like a shawl, others
were straight in the collar; some had turned-over collars, some
buttoned up to the top with gilt buttons. He brought every variety of
collar and cravat in fashion at that epoch. He brought two of
Buisson's coats and all his finest linen He brought his pretty gold
toilet-set,--a present from his mother. He brought all his dandy
knick-knacks, not forgetting a ravishing little desk presented to him
by the most amiable of women,--amiable for him, at least,--a fine lady
whom he called Annette and who at this moment was travelling,
matrimonially and wearily, in Scotland, a victim to certain suspicions
which required a passing sacrifice of happiness; in the desk was much
pretty note-paper on which to write to her once a fortnight.

In short, it was as complete a cargo of Parisian frivolities as it was
possible for him to get together,--a collection of all the implements
of husbandry with which the youth of leisure tills his life, from the
little whip which helps to begin a duel, to the handsomely chased
pistols which end it. His father having told him to travel alone and
modestly, he had taken the coupe of the diligence all to himself,
rather pleased at not having to damage a delightful
travelling-carriage ordered for a journey on which he was to meet his
Annette, the great lady who, etc.,--whom he intended to rejoin at
Baden in the following June. Charles expected to meet scores of people
at his uncle's house, to hunt in his uncle's forests,--to live, in
short, the usual chateau life; he did not know that his uncle was in
Saumur, and had only inquired about him incidentally when asking the
way to Froidfond. Hearing that he was in town, he supposed that he
should find him in a suitable mansion.

In order that he might make a becoming first appearance before his
uncle either at Saumur or at Froidfond, he had put on his most elegant
travelling attire, simple yet exquisite,--"adorable," to use the word
which in those days summed up the special perfections of a man or a
thing. At Tours a hairdresser had re-curled his beautiful chestnut
locks; there he changed his linen and put on a black satin cravat,
which, combined with a round shirt-collar, framed his fair and smiling
countenance agreeably. A travelling great-coat, only half buttoned up,
nipped in his waist and disclosed a cashmere waistcoat crossed in
front, beneath which was another waistcoat of white material.

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