IT is my considered view that no one can invent fictional characters without first having made a lengthy study of people，just as it is impossible for anyone to speak a language that has not been properly mastered.
Since I am not yet of an age to invent，I must make do with telling a tale.
I therefore invite the reader to believe that this story is true.All the characters who appear in it，with the exception of the heroine，are still living.
I would further add that there are reliable witnesses in Paris for most of the particulars which I bring together here，and they could vouch for their accuracy should my word not be enough.By a singular turn of events，I alone was able to write them down since I alone was privy to the very last details without which it would have been quite impossible to piece together a full and satisfying account.
It was in this way that these particulars came to my knowledge.
On the 12th day of March 1847，in the rue Laffitte，I happened upon a large yellow notice announcing a sale of furniture and valuable curios.An estate was to be disposed of，the owner having died.The notice did not name the dead person，but the sale was to be held at 9 rue d'Antin on the 16th，between noon and five o'clock.
The notice also stated that the apartments and contents could be viewed on the 13th and 14th.
I have always been interested in curios.I promised myself I would not miss this opportunity，if not of actually buying，then at least of looking.
The following day，I directed my steps towards 9 rue d'Antin.
It was early，and yet a good crowd of visitors had already gathered in the apartment-men for the most part，but also a number of ladies who，though dressed in velvet and wearing Indian shawls，and all with their own elegant broughams standing at the door，were examining the riches set out before them with astonished，even admiring eyes.