l!he Duke of Orleans. 177 



parted at the bottom, in a founding form of about twenty- 

 four feet in breadth, to meet on the second-floor, on a 

 platform, lighted by a skylight, showing the beauties of 

 the surrounding walks, and in front of which were three 

 doors, two of which I tried in vain to open. The third, 

 however, gave way, and I found myself in the outer ante- 

 chamber, with about twelve servants, who all rose up and 

 stood until I seated myself on a soft, red, velvet-covered 

 bench. Not a word was said to me, and I gazed on the 

 men and place with a strange sensation of awkwardness. 

 The v/alls were bare, the floor black and white squares 

 of marble, over which a sergeant paced, wearing a broad 

 belt. I waited some minutes, looking on this dumb 

 show, and wondering how long it would last, when I ac- 

 costed the sergeant, and told him I wished to see the 

 duke, and that I had come here by his order. He 

 made a profound bow, and conducted me to another 

 room, where several gentlemen were seated writing. I 

 told one of them my errand, and he immediately showed 

 me into an immense and elegantly-furnished apartment, 

 and ordered my book to be brought up. . In this room I 

 bowed to two gentlemen whom I knew belonged to the 

 Legion of Honor, and walked about, examining the fine 

 marble statues and pictures. A gentleman soon entered 

 the room, and coming towards me with an agreeable 

 smile, asked if perchance my name was Audubon. I 

 bowed, and he replied, ' Bless me, we thought you had 

 gone, and left your portfolio. My uncle has been wait- 

 ing for you twenty minutes ; pray, sir, follow me.' We 

 entered another room, and I saw the duke approaching 

 me, and was introduced to him by his nephew. I do not 

 recollect ever having seen a finer man, in form, deport- 

 ment, and elegant manners, than this Duke of Orleans. 

 He had my book brought in, and helped me to untie the 

 strings and arrange the table, and began by saying that 

 8* 



