errace and returned to the
castle. They arrived there just as M. de Larnac's carriage drove up to
the entrance.

"Well?" asked Madame de Lavardens.

"Well!" replied M. de Larnac, "we have nothing."

"What? Nothing?" cried Madame de Lavardens, very pale and agitated.

"Nothing, nothing; absolutely nothing--the one or the other of us."

And M. de Larnac springing from his carriage, related what had taken
place at the sale before the Tribunal of Souvigny.

"At first," he said, "everything went upon wheels. The castle went to
Monsieur Gallard for 650,000 francs. No competitor--a raise of fifty
francs had been sufficient. On the other hand, there was a little battle
for Blanche-Couronne. The bids rose from 500,000 francs to 520,000
francs, and again Monsieur Gallard was victorious. Another and more
animated battle for La Rozeraie; at last it was knocked down to you,
Madame, for 455,000 francs.... I got the forest of La Mionne without
opposition at a rise of 100 francs. All seemed over, those present had
risen, our solicitors were surrounded with persons asking the names of
the purchasers."

"Monsieur Brazier, the judge intrusted with the sale, desired silence,
and the bailiff of the court offered the four lots together for
2,150,000 or 2,160,000 francs, I don't remember which. A murmur passed
through the assembly. 'No one will bid' was heard on all sides. But
little Gibert, the solicitor, who was seated in the first row, and
till then had given no sign of life, rose and said calmly, 'I have a
purchaser for the four lots together at 2,200,000 francs.' This was like
a thunderbolt. A tremendous clamor arose, followed by a dead silence.
The hall was filled with farmers and laborers from the neighborhood.
Two million francs! So much money for the land threw them into a sort of
respectful stupor. However, Monsieur Gallard, bending toward Sandrier,
the solicitor who had bid for him, whispered something in his ear. The
struggle began between Gibert and Sandrier. The bids rose to 2,500,000
francs. Monsieur Gallard hesitated for a moment--decided--continued up
to 3,000,000. Then he stopped and the whole went to Gibert. Every one
rushed on him, they surrounded--they crushed him: 'The name, the name of
the purchaser?' 'It is an American,' replied Gibert, 'Mrs. Scott.'"

"Mrs. Scott!" cried Paul de Lavardens.

"You know her?" asked Madame de Lavardens.

"Do I know her?--do I--not at all. But I was at a ball at her house six
w