eles bore had at first cast a shadow
over his joy; but this shadow had soon vanished. He was troubled by no
foolish prejudices, and personally he cared little or nothing for his
mother's reputation. The prejudices of society must, of course, be
considered. But nonsense! society has no prejudices nowadays when
millionaires are concerned, and asks no questions respecting their
parents. Society only requires passports of the indigent. Besides, no
matter what Madame d'Argeles might have done, she was none the less a
Chalusse, the descendant of one of the most aristocratic families in
France.

Such were Wilkie's meditations while he was engaged in dressing himself
with more than usual care. He had been quite shocked by the suggestion
that Madame d'Argeles might try to deny him, and he wished to appear
before her in the most advantageous light. His toilette was consequently
a lengthy operation. However, shortly after twelve o'clock he was ready.
He cast a last admiring glance at himself in the mirror, twirled his
mustaches, and departed on his mission. He even went on foot, which was
a concession to what he considered M. de Coralth's absurd ideas. The
aspect of the Hotel d'Argeles, in the Rue de Berry, impressed him
favorably, but, at the same time, it somewhat disturbed his superb
assurance. "Everything is very stylish here," he muttered.

A couple of servants--the concierge and Job--were standing at the door
engaged in conversation. M. Wilkie approached them, and in his most
imposing manner, but not without a slight tremble in his voice,
requested to see Madame d'Argeles. "Madame is in the country," replied
the concierge; "she will not return before this evening. If monsieur
will leave his card."
"Oh! that's quite unnecessary. I shall be passing again."

This, too, was in obedience to the instructions of M. de Coralth, who
had advised him not to send in his name, but to gain admission into
Madame d'Argeles's presence as speedily as possible, without giving her
time to prepare herself for the interview; and Wilkie had ultimately
decided that these precautions might not prove as superfluous as he had
at first supposed. But this first mishap annoyed him extremely. What
should he do? how should he kill time till the evening? A cab was
passing. He hired it for a drive to the Bois, whence he returned to the
boulevards, played a game of billiards with one of the co-proprietors
of Pompier de Nanterre, and finally dined at the Ca