a trifle of thirty thousand crowns. The newly married
pair chose this beautiful spot in which to spend their honeymoon.
They were so well-contented there that they established themselves
permanently at Valfeuillu, to the great satisfaction of the
neighborhood.

"Bertha was one of those persons, it seemed, who are born especially
to marry millionnaires. Without awkwardness or embarrassment, she
passed easily from the humble school-room, where she had assisted
her father, to the splendid drawing-room of Valfeuillu. And when
she did the honors of her chateau to all the neighboring aristocracy,
it seemed as though she had never done anything else. She knew how
to remain simple, approachable, modest, all the while that she took
the tone of the highest society. She was beloved."

"But it appears to me," interrupted the mayor, "that I said the
same thing, and it was really not worth while--"

A gesture from M. Domini closed his mouth, and M. Plantat continued:

"Sauvresy was also liked, for he was one of those golden hearts
which know not how to suspect evil. He was one of those men with
a robust faith, with obstinate illusions, whom doubts never disturb.
He was one of those who thoroughly confide in the sincerity of
their friends, in the love of their mistresses. This new domestic
household ought to be happy; it was so. Bertha adored her husband
--that frank man, who, before speaking to her a word of love,
offered her his hand. Sauvresy professed for his wife a worship
which few thought foolish. They lived in great style at Valfeuillu.
They received a great deal. When autumn came all the numerous spare
chambers were filled. The turnouts were magnificent.

"Sauvresy had been married two years, when one evening he brought
from Paris one of his old and intimate friends, a college comrade
of whom he had often spoken, Count Hector de Tremorel. The count
intended to remain but a short time at Valfeuillu; but weeks passed
and then months, and he still remained. It was not surprising.
Hector had passed a very stormy youth, full of debauchery, of clubs,
of gambling, and of amours. He had thrown to the winds of his
caprices an immense fortune; the relatively calm life of Valfeuillu
was a relief. At first people said to him, 'You will soon have
enough of the country.' He smiled, but said nothing. It was then
thought, and rightly, perhaps, that having become poor, he cared
little to display his ruin before those who had obscured h