CHAPTER I

The last shot of Waterloo--Temper of the provinces in 1817, 1818 and 1819--The _Messéniennes_--The _Vêpres siciliennes--Louis IX._--Appreciation of these two tragedies--A phrase of Terence--My claim to a similar sentiment--Three o'clock in the morning--The course of love-making--_Valeat res ludrica_