of Mlle. Juliette,
Madame d'Harville's waiting-woman, who has the care of her diamonds."

"Yes, M. le Marquis, it is Mlle. Juliette who has the charge of them,
for it is not eight days since I helped her to clean them."

"Ask her to tell you the name of her lady's jeweller, but not to say a
word on the subject to her mistress."

"Ah, I understand,--a surprise."

"Go as quickly as possible. Here is M. Doublet."

And the steward entered as Joseph quitted the apartment.

"I have the honour to attend the orders of M. le Marquis."

"My dear M. Doublet, I am going to alarm you," said M. d'Harville,
smiling; "I shall compel you to utter fearful cries of distress."

"Me, sir?"

"You."

"I will endeavour to give satisfaction to M. le Marquis."

"I am going to spend an enormous sum, M. Doublet."

"Why not, M. le Marquis? We are well able to do so."

"I have been planning a considerable extent of building. I propose to
annex a gallery in the garden, on the right wing of the hotel. After
having hesitated at this folly, of which I have not before spoken to
you, I have made up my mind on the point, and I wish you to send to-day
to my architect, desiring him to come and talk over the plans with me.
Well, M. Doublet, you do not seem to object to the outlay."

"I can assure your lordship that I have no objection whatsoever."

"This gallery is destined for fetes, and I wish to have it erected as
though by enchantment; and, as enchantments are very dear, we must sell
fifteen or twenty thousand livres of income in order to meet the
expenditure, for I wish the work to be begun as speedily as possible."

"I have always said there is nothing which M. le Marquis wants, unless
it be a certain taste. That for building has the advantage of having the
buildings always left; as to money, M. le Marquis need not alarm
himself, and he may, if he pleases, build the gallery."

Joseph returned.

"Here, M. le Marquis, is the address of the jeweller, whose name is M.
Baudoin," said he to M. d'Harville.

"My dear M. Doublet, will you go to this jeweller's, and desire him to
bring here in an hour a river of diamonds, worth, say, two thousand
louis? Women never have too many jewels, now they wear gowns decorated
with them. You can arrange with the jeweller as to the payment."

"Yes, M. le Marquis; and I do not even yet begin to groan. Diamonds are
like buildings,--they remain. And then, no doubt, the surprise will
greatly please Madam