he claimed originated with his wife. The following day they
signed a deed for five hundred thousand francs, which Madeleine du Roy
gave up to her husband.

On leaving the office, as it was pleasant, Georges proposed that they
take a stroll along the boulevards. He was very tender, very careful of
her, and laughed joyously while she remained pensive and grave.

It was a cold, autumn day. The pedestrians seemed in haste and walked
along rapidly.

Du Roy led his wife to the shop into the windows of which he had so
often gazed at the coveted chronometer.

"Shall I buy you some trinket?" he asked.

She replied indifferently: "As you like."

They entered the shop: "What would you prefer, a necklace, a bracelet,
or earrings?"

The sight of the brilliant gems made her eyes sparkle in spite of
herself, as she glanced at the cases filled with costly baubles.

Suddenly she exclaimed: "There is a lovely bracelet."

It was a chain, very unique in shape, every link of which was set with
a different stone.

Georges asked: "How much is that bracelet?"

The jeweler replied: "Three thousand francs, sir."

"If you will let me have it for two thousand five hundred, I will take
it."

The man hesitated, then replied: "No, sir, it is impossible."

Du Roy said: "See here--throw in this chronometer at fifteen hundred
francs; that makes four thousand, and I will pay cash. If you do not
agree, I will go somewhere else."

The jeweler finally yielded. "Very well, sir."

The journalist, after leaving his address, said: "You can have my
initials G. R. C. interlaced below a baron's crown, engraved on the
chronometer."

Madeleine, in surprise, smiled, and when they left the shop, she took
his arm quite affectionately. She thought him very shrewd and clever.
He was right; now that he had a fortune he must have a title.

They passed the Vaudeville on their way arid, entering, secured a box.
Then they repaired to Mme, de Marelle's at Georges' suggestion, to
invite her to spend the evening with them. Georges rather dreaded the
first meeting with Clotilde, but she did not seem to bear him any
malice, or even to remember their disagreement. The dinner, which they
took at a restaurant, was excellent, and the evening altogether
enjoyable.

Georges and Madeleine returned home late. The gas was extinguished, and
in order to light the way the journalist from time to time struck a
match. On reaching the landing on the first floor they saw