Chapter 9

           THEREWEREabaker’sdozenofperfumersinParisinthosedays.Sixofthemresidedontherightbank,sixontheleft,andoneexactlyinthemiddle,thatis,onthePont-au-Change,whichconnectedtherightbankwiththeHedelaCite.Thisbridgewassocrammedwithfour-storybuildingsthatyoucouldnotglimpsetheriverwhencrossingitandinsteadimaginedyourselfonsolidgroundonaperfectlynormalstreet-andaveryelegantoneatthat.Indeed,thePont-au-Changewasconsideredoneofthefinestbusinessaddressesinthecity.Themostrenownedshopsweretobefoundhere;herewerethegoldsmiths,thecabinetmakers,thebestwigmakersandpursemakers,themanufacturersofthefinestlingerieandstockings,thepictureframers,themerchantsforridingboots,theembroiderersofepaulets,themold-ersofgoldbuttons,andthebankers.AndhereaswellstoodthebusinessandresidenceoftheperfumerandgloverGiuseppeBaldini.Abovehisdisplaywindowwasstretchedasumptuousgreen-lacqueredbaldachin,nexttowhichhungBaldini’scoatofarms,allingold:agoldenflacon,fromwhichgrewabouquetofgoldenflowers.Andbeforethedoorlayaredcarpet,alsobearingtheBaldinicoatofarmsembroideredingold.Whenyouopenedthedoor,Persianchimesrangout,andtwosilverheronsbeganspewingviolet-scentedtoiletwaterfromtheirbeaksintoagold-platedvessel,whichinturnwasshapedliketheflaconintheBaldinicoatofarms.Behindthecounteroflightboxwood,however,stoodBaldinihimself,oldandstiffasapillar,inasilver-powderedwigandabluecoatadornedwithgoldfrogs.