aleche_ to the Bois,
for she now had two little carriages, drawn by two horses. In the course
of this public _tete-a-tete_ she opened the question of her future, and
declared that she wished to marry.

"I have seven hundred thousand francs," she said, "and I admit to you
that if I could find a man full of ambition, who knew how to understand
my character, I would change my position; for do you know what is
the dream of my life? To become a true bourgeoise, enter an honorable
family, and make my husband and children truly happy."

The Norman would fain be "distinguished" by Madame Schontz, but as for
marrying her, that folly seemed debatable to a bachelor of thirty-eight
whom the revolution of July had made a judge. Seeing his hesitation,
Madame Schontz made the Heir the butt of her wit, her jests, and her
disdain, and turned to Couture. Within a week, the latter, whom she
put upon the scent of her fortune, had offered his hand, and heart, and
future,--three things of about the same value.

The manoeuvres of Madame Schontz had reached this stage of proceeding,
when Madame de Grandlieu began her inquiries into the life and habits of
the Beatrix of the Place Saint-Georges.

XXIV. THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL RELATIONS AND POSITION

In accordance with the advice of the Abbe Brossette the Duchesse de
Grandlieu asked the Marquis d'Ajuda to bring her that king of political
cut-throats, the celebrated Comte Maxime de Trailles, archduke of
Bohemia, the youngest of young men, though he was now fully fifty years
of age. Monsieur d'Ajuda arranged to dine with Maxime at the club in
the rue de Beuane, and proposed to him after dinner to go and play dummy
whist with the Duc de Grandlieu, who had an attack of gout and was all
alone.

Though the son-in-law of the duke and the cousin of the duchess had
every right to present him in a salon where he had never yet set foot,
Maxime de Trailles did not deceive himself as to the meaning of an
invitation thus given. He felt certain that the duke or the duchess had
some need of him. Club life where men play cards with other men whom
they do not receive in their own houses is by no means one of the most
trifling signs of the present age.

The Duc de Grandlieu did Maxime the honor of appearing to suffer from
his gout. After several games of whist he went to bed, leaving his wife
_tete-a-tete_ with Maxime and d'Ajuda. The duchess, seconded by the
marquis, communicated her project to Monsi