privations.

"It is needless to follow my career step by step. You know what I am
now--you see I have succeeded."

"Well, _mon cher maitre_, not many men can boast of a success equal to
yours. Indeed, there is evidence enough in this very room of that
success."

"That implies, of course, that you think I have an enormous account at
the bank. You are mistaken. Every centime I get comes from the sale of
my books, the rights of translation, etc. My royalty is 60 centimes per
volume. This brings me about 300,000 francs a year, and I am not a man
to economise. All this furniture, and the articles you see scattered
about, I have slowly accumulated. I began to purchase with the first
economies I ever made.

[Illustration: EMILE ZOLA.]

"This passion which obliged me frequently to change residences in order
to find room for the ever increasing number of objects was acquired by
me through reading Victor Hugo in my childhood. It is not so ardent now,
I regret to say."

As he got up to show me round, the light fell full on his face. I
thought I noticed a look of melancholy, and made a remark to that
effect.

With a sigh he replied, "_Mon cher monsieur_, I repeat I always think
with pleasure of my garret. I had then no cares. I was, what I call,
absolutely independent."

"But in what way are you dependent now?"

"More than you think. I was then my own reader and my only critic. I
lived in my writings, and thought them perfect. Since then I belong
to the public, upon whose judgment my success depends, upon whose
appreciation my reward lies. Do not imagine that I do not frequently
suffer deeply, that I am not wounded, and that I do not feel mortified
and become discouraged by the misinterpretation of my motives. These are
passing clouds, but they are not pleasant, I can assure you."

As he was unburdening his sorrows, we visited the apartment. It would be
impossible to describe it in the short space of an article, as I must
admit I seldom found such a mass, and at the same time such a variety,
of objects collected.

The accompanying photos will be more eloquent than my pen.

Taste presides in everything; choice, disposal, grouping, and colouring.
The southern nature of the host reveals itself in its love for bright
colours, education and refinement in the subdued tones and harmonious
_ensemble_.

He did not hesitate to show me everything; unfortunately, however, had I
seen less, I would have remembered more.

As w