pressé de vivre. Vivre is here in the same sense as in

"One crowded hour of glorious life Is worth an age without a name." Scott.

1. 8. qu'il. Que is here rendered 'when,' as often after negative sentences, and sentences containing à peine, E.B. 266 (2).

1. 12. l'alcôve d'un grand lit de parade, 'the recess in which stood a great state-bed.' In France, where bed-rooms are more used as sitting-rooms than with us, such recesses or alcoves for beds are very common.

1. 13. balustrade de prince. A gilt balustrade was often put round the bed or table occupied by a royal personage.

1. 15. if abeilles, a favourite emblem of the Emperor's. They were used in the armorial bearings of the early kings of France, till Louis le Jeune (12th century) substituted Ihefieztrs de lis for them.