The notary's nose;

164 THE NOTARY'S NOSE.
the two fiancds, and finally engrossed on
a beautiful piece of stamped paper, to
which only the signatures were lacking.
On the appointed day, M. l'Ambert, a
slave to duty, went himself to the Hotel de
Villemaurin, in spite of a persistent influenza which nearly drove the eyes out of
his head. In the ante-chamber, he made
a final application of his handkerchief, and
the lackeys trembled on their benches as
if they had heard the trumpet of the last
judgment.
M. l'Ambert was announced. He had
on his spectacles, and smiled gravely, as
was his custom under similar circumstances.
With a perfectly tied cravat, neatly
gloved, shod in pumps as if for a ball, his
crush hat under his left arm, the contract
in his right hand, he went to pay his respects to the marchioness. Modestly in