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ead； she turned to Mme de Maufrigneuse with； 〃Who is the newcomer； dear？〃
〃Someone that you have heard of； no doubt。 The Marquis de Montriveau。〃
〃Oh！ is it he？〃
She took up her eyeglass and submitted him to a very insolent scrutiny； as if he had been a picture meant to receive glances； not to return them。
〃Do introduce him； he ought to be interesting。〃
〃Nobody more tiresome and dull； dear。 But he is the fashion。〃
M。 Armand de Montriveau； at that moment all unwittingly the object of general curiosity； better deserved attention than any of the idols that Paris needs must set up to worship for a brief space； for the city is vexed by periodical fits of craving； a passion for engouement and sham enthusiasm； which must be satisfied。 The Marquis was the only son of General de Montriveau； one of the ci…devants who served the Republic nobly； and fell by Joubert's side at Novi。 Bonaparte had placed his son at the school at Chalons； with the orphans of other generals who fell on the battlefield； leaving their children under the protection of the Republic。 Armand de Montriveau left school with his way to make； entered the artillery； and had only reached a major's rank at the time of the Fontainebleau disaster。 In his section of the service the chances of advancement were not many。 There are fewer officers； in the first place； among the gunners than in any other corps； and in the second place； the feeling in the artillery was decidedly Liberal； not to say Republican； and the Emperor； feeling little confidence in a body of highly educated men who were apt to think for themselves； gave promotion grudgingly in the service。 In the artillery； accordingly； the general rule of the army did not apply； the commanding officers were not invariably the most remarkable men in their department； because there was less to be feared from mediocrities。 The artillery was a separate corps in those days； and only came under Napoleon in action。
Besides these general causes； other reasons； inherent in Armand de Montriveau's character； were sufficient in themselves to account for his tardy promotion。 He was alone in the world。 He had been thrown at the age of twenty into the whirlwind of men directed by Napoleon； his interests were bounded by himself； any day he might lose his life； it became a habit of mind with him to live by his own self…respect and the consciousness that he had done his duty。 Like all shy men； he was habitually silent； but his shyness sprang by no means from timidity； it was a kind of modesty in him； he found any demonstration of vanity intolerable。
There was no sort of swagger about his fearlessness in action； nothing escaped his eyes； he could give sensible advice to his chums with unshaken coolness； he could go under fire； and duck upon occasion to avoid bullets。 He was kindly； but his expression was haughty and stern； and his face gained him this character。 In everything he was rigorous as arithmetic； he never permitted the slightest deviation from duty on any plausible pretext； nor blinked the consequences of a fact。 He would lend himself to nothing of which he was ashamed； he never asked anything for himself； in short； Armand de Montriveau was one of many great men unknown to fame； and philosophical enough to despise it； living without attaching themselves to life； because they have not found their opportunity of developing to the full their power to do and feel。
People were afraid of Montriveau； they respected him； but he was not very popular。 Men may indeed allow you to rise above them； but to decline to descend as low as they can do is the one unpardonable sin。 In their feeling towards loftier natures； there is a trace of hate and fear。 Too much honour with them implies censure of themselves； a thing forgiven neither to the living nor to the dead。
After the Emperor's farewells at Fontainebleau； Montriveau； noble though he was； was put on half…pay。 Perhaps the heads of the War Office took fright at uncompromising uprightness worthy of antiquity； or perhaps it was known that he felt bound by his oath to the Imperial Eagle。 During the Hundred Days he was made a Colonel of the Guard； and left on the field of Waterloo。 His wounds kept him in Belgium he was not present at the disbanding of the Army of the Loire； but the King's government declined to recognise promotion made during the Hundred Days； and Armand de Montriveau left France。
An adventurous spirit； a loftiness of thought hitherto satisfied by the hazards of war； drove him on an exploring expedition through Upper Egypt； his sanity or impulse directed his enthusiasm to a project of great importance； he turned his attention to that unexplored Central Africa which occupies the learned of today。 The scientific expedition was long and unfortunate。 He had made a valuable collection of notes bearing on various geographical and commercial problems； of which solutions are still eagerly sought； and succeeded； after surmounting many obstacles； in reaching the heart of the continent； when he was betrayed into the hands of a hostile native tribe。 Then； stripped of all that he had； for two years he led a wandering life in the desert； the slave of savages； threatened with death at every moment； and more cruelly treated than a dumb animal in the power of pitiless children。 Physical strength； and a mind braced to endurance； enabled him to survive the horrors of that captivity； but his miraculous escape well…nigh exhausted his energies。 When he reached the French colony at Senegal； a half…dead fugitive covered with rags； his memories of his former life were dim and shapeless。 The great sacrifices made in his travels were all forgotten like his studies of African dialects； his discoveries； and observations。 One story will give an idea of all that he passed through。 Once for several days the children of the sheikh of the tribe amused themselves by putting him up for a mark and flinging horses' knuckle…bones at his head。
Montriveau came back to Paris in 1818 a ruined man。 He had no interest； and wished for none。 He would have died twenty times over sooner than ask a favour of anyone； he would not even press the recognition of his claims。 Adversity and hardship had developed his energy even in trifles； while the habit of preserving his self…respect before that spiritual self which we call conscience led him to attach consequence to the most apparently trivial actions。 His merits and adventures became known； however； through his acquaintances； among the principal men of science in Paris； and some few well…read military men。 The incidents of his slavery and subsequent escape bore witness to a courage； intelligence； and coolness which won him celebrity without his knowledge； and that transient fame of which Paris salons are lavish； though the artist that fain would keep it must make untold efforts。
Montriveau's position suddenly changed towards the end of that year。 He had been a poor man； he was now rich； or； externally at any rate； he had all the advantages of wealth。 The King's government； trying to attach capable men to itself and to strengthen the army； made concessions about that time to Napoleon's old officers if their known loy