{corps de reserve = reserve corps; reticule = a large pocketbook}

One day Desiree and I were on the Boulevards Italiens together, when
a figure caught the commissionaire's eye that sent her across the street in
a great hurry. I scarcely know how to describe this person, who, to my
simple eyes, had the appearance of a colonel of the late Royal Guards,
or, at least, of an attache of one of the northern legations. He was
dressed in the height of the latest fashion, as well as he knew how to be;
wore terrible moustaches, and had a rare provision of rings, eye-
glasses, watch-guards, chains, &c.

{Boulevards Italiens = a fashionable Paris street; attache = a diplomat--
European diplomats at this period often wore uniforms}

"Bon jour, monsieur," exclaimed Desiree, in haste, "parole d' honneur, I
scarcely knew you! I have been waiting for your return from Lyons with
the most lively impatience, for, to tell you the truth, I have the greatest
bijou for your American ladies that ever came out of a bleaching
ground--un mouchoir de poche."

{bijou = jewel; mouchoir de poche = pocket handkerchief}

"Doucement--doucement, ma bonne," interrupted the other, observing
that the woman was about to exhibit me on the open Boulevards, an
expose for which he had no longings, "you can bring it to my lodgings--"

{doucement... = not so fast, my good woman; expose = public display}

"Rue de Clery, numero cent vingt--"