Royal Palaces and Parks of France Part 27

At nine o'clock an outpost in the park at Compiegne announced the arrival of the emperor and his train. At ten o'clock a cannon shot rang out over the park and the emperor and empress pa.s.sed into the chateau to proceed with certain indispensable presentations; then to souper, a _pet.i.te souper intime_, we are a.s.sured.

On the morrow all the world of the a.s.sembled court met the empress and avowed that she had that specious _beaute du diable_ which has ever pleased the French connoisseur of beautiful women. They went further, however, and stated that in spite of this ravis.h.i.+ng beauty she lacked the elegance which should be the possession of an empress of the French.

The faithful Berthier silenced them with the obvious statement that since she pleased the emperor there was nothing more to be said, or thought.

Flying northward on the great highroad leading out from Paris to Chantilly and Compiegne gadabout travellers have never a thought that just beyond Pont Saint Maxence, almost in plain view from the doorway of the Inn of the Lion d'Argent of that sleepy little town, is a gabled wall which represents all that remains of the "Maison de Philippe de Beaumanoir," called the Cour Ba.s.se.

THE END