Details of Albert’s Atelier
Albert’s atelier contained the accumulated evidence of his successive caprices: musical instruments (hunting-horns, bass-viols, flutes)—a whole orchestra representing his fancy for music; easels, palettes, and brushes for painting; and fencing, boxing, and single-stick equipment, reflecting his more persevering pursuit of the arts completing a dandy’s education. He received masters Grisier, Cooks, and Charles Leboucher here. The room held old cabinets of Chinese porcelain and Japanese vases, Lucca della Robbia faïences, and Palissy platters. Antique armchairs—possibly sat by Henry IV, Sully, Louis XIII, or Richelieu—bore the fleur-de-lys of France on azure fields. Splendid stuffs from Persia, Calcutta, and Chandernagor adorned these dark chairs. A Roller and Blanchet “baby grand” piano in rosewood held the works of Beethoven, Weber, Mozart, Haydn, Grétry, and Porpora. On the walls hung swords, daggers, Malay creeses, maces, battle-axes, and gilded suits of armor, alongside dried plants, minerals, and stuffed birds with flame-colored wings outspread in flight.
Morning Breakfast Preparations
At quarter to ten, the valet Germain—Albert’s most trusted servant—entered with papers and letters. Albert’s household consisted only of Germain and an English-speaking groom named John, though the hotel cook and occasionally the Count’s chasseur assisted on special occasions. Albert instructed Germain to arrange breakfast at half past ten, anticipating the Count’s arrival, and to inquire whether his mother was awake.
Albert Reviews Letters and Plans His Day
Albert examined his letters, selecting two written in small, delicate hands on scented envelopes and reading them with attention. One arrived by post, the other through Madame Danglars’ footman. Albert sent acceptance of a place in Madame Danglars’ opera box, instructed Rosa to be told he would sup with her after the Opera, and ordered six bottles of various wines (Cyprus, sherry, Malaga) and a barrel of Ostend oysters from Borel. He requested one of his mother’s liqueur cabinets—his own being incomplete—and planned to visit her at three o’clock to request permission to introduce someone to her. He then reviewed the papers, making faces at the opera announcements and muttering that papers grow “more and more stupid every day.”
Arrival of Lucien Debray
A carriage stopped at the door, and the servant announced M. Lucien Debray—a tall young man with light hair, clear gray eyes, and compressed lips, dressed in a blue coat with gold buttons, white neckcloth, and tortoiseshell eyeglass. He entered with a half-official air, wearing the Order of Charles III. Albert jokingly expressed alarm at his punctuality, asking if the ministry had resigned.
Albert and Debray’s Conversation
Debray explained that while the ministry tottered, it never fell, and the Spanish affairs would consolidate their position—Don Carlos was being moved to Bourges. He had passed the night writing twenty-five despatches and returned at daybreak. Riding at the Bois de Boulogne, hunger and ennui drove him to Albert’s breakfast. Albert offered cigars, and Debray remarked on Albert’s fortunate idleness. Debray, as private secretary to a minister, managed European cabals and Parisian intrigues, protecting royalty and directing elections. They discussed the ministry’s plans, M. Danglars’ financial success, and the upcoming breakfast. Albert promised to introduce a new acquaintance—a man Debray did not yet know.
Salon Tobacco and Smoking Collection
In the small salon downstairs, Albert had arranged every species of tobacco—from Petersburg’s yellow tobacco to Sinai’s black, and including Maryland, Porto Rico, and Latakia—displayed in Dutch crackled earthenware pots. Boxes of fragrant wood held puros, regalias, havanas, and manillas ranked by size and quality. An open cabinet contained German pipes, chibouques with coral mouthpieces, and narghiles with long morocco tubes, all awaiting the caprice of smokers. This was the post-coffee contemplation space for modern breakfast guests.
Arrival of Beauchamp
A moment after Debray’s arrival, the servant announced M. Beauchamp. Albert rose to greet him, introducing Debray, who detested him without reading his work. Beauchamp agreed, noting he criticized Debray without knowing what he actually did. The conversation turned to the Order of Charles III and political affairs, with Beauchamp asking whether they would breakfast or dine, as he needed to go to the Chamber. Albert confirmed they would breakfast immediately upon the arrival of two more expected guests.
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