How it opens
The Faubourg Saint-Germain received you as it receives everything, politely, and took your measure in one evening.
A general with no debts, no mistress, and no conversation puzzled it like a coin of no known mint.
Duchesse de GrandlieuGeneral, we hear you have crossed deserts where even gossip dies of thirst.
Choose
Deserts are honest country, madame. Nothing there pretends to like you.
I crossed them, madame. I do not recommend the exercise.
The deserts were quieter than this room, and I say it as a compliment.