fficulties arise there is always a victorious side and a vanquished
one. The parents of the future pair try to conclude the matter, which is
purely commercial in their eyes, to their own advantage; and this
leads to the trickery, shrewdness, and deception of such negotiations.
Generally the husband alone is initiated into the secret of these
discussions, and the wife is kept, like Natalie, in ignorance of the
stipulations which make her rich or poor.

As he left the house, Paul reflected that, thanks to the cleverness
of his notary, his fortune was almost entirely secured from injury. If
Madame Evangelista did not live apart from her daughter their united
household would have an income of more than a hundred thousand francs
to spend. All his expectations of a happy and comfortable life would be
realized.

"My mother-in-law seems to me an excellent woman," he thought, still
under the influence of the cajoling manner by which she had endeavored
to disperse the clouds raised by the discussion. "Mathias is mistaken.
These notaries are strange fellows; they envenom everything. The harm
started from that little cock-sparrow Solonet, who wanted to play a
clever game."

While Paul went to bed recapitulating the advantages he had won during
the evening, Madame Evangelista was congratulating herself equally on
her victory.

"Well, darling mother, are you satisfied?" said Natalie, following
Madame Evangelista into her bedroom.

"Yes, love," replied the mother, "everything went well, according to my
wishes; I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders which was crushing me.
Paul is a most easy-going man. Dear fellow! yes, certainly, we must make
his life prosperous. You will make him happy, and I will be responsible
for his political success. The Spanish ambassador used to be a friend
of mine, and I'll renew the relation--as I will with the rest of my
old acquaintance. Oh! you'll see! we shall soon be in the very heart
of Parisian life; all will be enjoyment for us. You shall have the
pleasures, my dearest, and I the last occupation of existence,--the game
of ambition! Don't be alarmed when you see me selling this house. Do you
suppose we shall ever come back to live in Bordeaux? no. Lanstrac? yes.
But we shall spend all our winters in Paris, where our real interests
lie. Well, Natalie, tell me, was it very difficult to do what I asked of
you?"

"My little mamma! every now and then I felt ashamed."

"Solonet advises me to put