The Argosy — page 131: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Iwo Days in the Life of the late Emperor. 117 marched up to the audience-chamber ; and from thence were admitted into the presence of the Emperor and Empress. Their greetings of her Majesty were far more in accordance with the laws of hearty good-will than with those of etiquette. They pushed up and danced about her, full of praises and admiration. The Empress would fain have danced too, and nearly did; she was almost as delighted as they were, and laughed and enjoyed the scene like a happy young girl. ‘O comme t’es belle! comme t’es belle!” uttered they, in their familiar patois. “It is a pretty present,” exclaimed her Majesty, accepting the silver fish, and playing with it. ‘“ How frequently, pray, do you catch this sort of fish?” she asked, smiling. ‘Just as often as your Majesty comes to Dunkerque,” was the prompt reply. ‘Comme tu es bellotte, mon Impé'trice!” uttered their bold and joking leader : “ tu es vraiment bellotte : et je te souhaite un gros garcon !” } The Empress laughed, a ringing laugh; the Emperor joined in heartily ; and the women, laughing in concert, retired’: the Empress ordering them 1ooo francs. Meanwhile, as many as could push in had collected in the cathedral, where a body of priests waited in state for their sovereign; the church being decorated inside, and its entrance-doors hung with crimson velvet. But while they waited and waited, thinking his Majesty was a long while coming, the hour struck half-past two, and a loud discharge of cannon announced the unwelcome fact that the Imperial couple had left the town again on their route to Calais, without going near the church at all; and leaving their warm thanks for the manner in which they had been welcomed in Dunkerque. The ball took place 1n the evening: but the French ladies asserted that it was “ pénible” to see the dais and the two fauteuils unoccupied. There was many a pretty woman there, many a pretty girl; some of the toilettes were exquisite, and the uniforms, civiland military, glittered in all parts of the throng. The quadnile d’honneur was formed as well as it could be formed, for the crowd; the sous-préfet taking the first place, in the absence of his Majesty. Tuesday morning rose beautifully; the wind having greatly abated. The street decorations had been remodelled and replenished, and count- less numbers of coloured lamps were hung, to be illumined at night. An estrade was erected on the Place Jean Bart, all lamps and flags and festoons of flowers and evergreens, intended for the arena of the trial of skill in music. The bands of Dunkerque and of the neighbouring communes assembled, each performing two pieces, chosen at will, and a prize was presented to the band adjudged the best. With dusk the streets were highted up; the uluminations’ also were general; they had been only partially so the previous. night, on SH aGO