does really surprise me. Am
I bound to account to the public for the marriage stipulations which
our notaries think necessary under the political circumstances of my
son-in-law's future life? Has the mania for public discussion made its
way into families? Ought I to convoke in writing the fathers and mothers
of the province to come here and give their vote on the clauses of our
marriage contract?"

A torrent of epigram flowed over Bordeaux. Madame Evangelista was
about to leave the city, and could safely scan her friends and enemies,
caricature them and lash them as she pleased, with nothing to fear in
return. Accordingly, she now gave vent to her secret observations and
her latent dislikes as she sought for the reason why this or that person
denied the shining of the sun at mid-day.

"But, my dear," said the Marquise de Gyas, "this stay of the count at
Lanstrac, these parties given to young men under such circumstances--"

"Ah! my dear," said the great lady, interrupting the marquise, "do you
suppose that we adopt the pettiness of bourgeois customs? Is Count Paul
held in bonds like a man who might seek to get away? Think you we ought
to watch him with a squad of gendarmes lest some provincial conspiracy
should get him away from us?"

"Be assured, my dearest friend, that it gives me the greatest pleasure
to--"

Here her words were interrupted by a footman who entered the room to
announce Paul. Like many lovers, Paul thought it charming to ride twelve
miles to spend an hour with Natalie. He had left his friends while
hunting, and came in booted and spurred, and whip in hand.

"Dear Paul," said Natalie, "you don't know what an answer you are giving
to madame."

When Paul heard of the gossip that was current in Bordeaux, he laughed
instead of being angry.

"These worthy people have found out, perhaps, that there will be no
wedding festivities, according to provincial usages, no marriage at
mid-day in the church, and they are furious. Well, my dear mother," he
added, kissing her hand, "let us pacify them with a ball on the day when
we sign the contract, just as the government flings a fete to the people
in the great square of the Champs-Elysees, and we will give our dear
friends the dolorous pleasure of signing a marriage-contract such as
they have seldom heard of in the provinces."

This little incident proved of great importance. Madame Evangelista
invited all Bordeaux to witness the signature of the contract,