The notary's nose;

THE NOTARY'S NOSE. III
bert's habits were known, and it was no
secret how large a portion of his time and
his heart was expended at the opera. But
the world easily pardons these little aberrations in men who do not give themselves
up to them altogether. It is wise to be
satisfied with half a loaf, rather than go
without bread. It seemed well enough
that M. l'Ambert should go half way to
perdition, while so many men of his age
went the whole. He never neglected
good houses; he talked with the dowagers, and danced with the young girls;
he occasionally made passable music, and
never talked horse. These merits, so rare
among young millionnaires of the Faubourg, secured him the good-will of the
ladies. It was even said, that more than
one had thought she was doing the
Lord's service in entering the lists against
the ballet green-room. One pretty, pious
woman, Madame de L- had proved