"But," she added, to herself, "if the negotiation does not succeed at
once, I shall leave Bordeaux. I can still find a good marriage for

Natalie by investing the proceeds of what is left, house and diamonds
and furniture,--keeping only a small income for myself."

When a strong soul constructs a way of ultimate escape,--as Richelieu
did at Brouage,--and holds in reserve a vigorous end, the resolution

becomes a lever which strengthens its immediate way. The thought of
this finale in case of failure comforted Madame Evangelista, who fell

asleep with all the more confidence as she remembered her assistance
in the coming duel.

This was a young man named Solonet, considered the ablest notary in
Bordeaux; now twenty-seven years of age and decorated with the Legion

of honor for having actively contributed to the second return of the
Bourbons. Proud and happy to be received in the home of Madame

Evangelista, less as a notary than as belonging to the royalist
society of Bordeaux, Solonet had conceived for that fine setting sun

one of those passions which women like Madame Evangelista repulse,
although flattered and graciously allowing them to exist upon the

surface. Solonet remained therefore in a self-satisfied condition of
hope and becoming respect. Being sent for, he arrived the next morning

with the promptitude of a slave and was received by the coquettish
widow in her bedroom, where she allowed him to find her in a very

becoming dishabille.
"Can I," she said, "count upon your discretion and your entire

devotion in a discussion which will take place in my house this
evening? You will readily understand that it relates to the marriage

of my daughter."
The young man expended himself in gallant protestations.

"Now to the point," she said.
"I am listening," he replied, checking his ardor.

Madame Evangelista then stated her position baldly.
"My dear lady, that is nothing to be troubled about," said Maitre

Solonet, assuming a confident air as soon as his client had given him
the exact figures. "The question is how have you conducted yourself

toward Monsieur de Manerville? In this matter questions of manner and
deportment are of greater importance than those of law and finance."

Madame Evangelista wrapped herself in dignity. The notary learned to
his satisfaction that until the present moment his client's relations

to Paul had been distant and reserved, and that partly from native
pride and partly from involuntary shrewdness she had treated the Comte

de Manerville as in some sense her inferior and as though it were an
honor for him to be allowed to marry Mademoiselle Evangelista. She

assured Solonet that neither she nor her daughter could be suspected
of any mercenary interests in the marriage; that they had the right,

should Paul make any financial difficulties, to retreat from the
affair to an illimitable distance; and finally, that she had already

acquired over her future son-in-law a very remarkable ascendancy.
"If that is so," said Solonet, "tell me what are the utmost

concessions you are willing to make."
"I wish to make as few as possible," she answered, laughing.

"A woman's answer," cried Solonet. "Madame, are you anxious to marry
Mademoiselle Natalie?"

"Yes."
"And you want a receipt for the eleven hundred and fifty-six thousand

francs, for which you are responsible on the guardianship account
which the law obliges you to render to your son-in-law?"

"Yes."
"How much do you want to keep back?"

"Thirty thousand a year, at least."
"It is a question of conquer or die, is it?"

"It is."
"Well, then, I must reflect on the necessary means to that end; it

will need all our cleverness to manage our forces. I will give you
some instructions on my arrival this evening; follow them carefully,

and I think I may promise you a successful issue. Is the Comte de
Manerville in love with Mademoiselle Natalie?" he asked as he rose to

take leave.
"He adores her."

"That is not enough. Does he desire her to the point of disregarding
all pecuniary difficulties?"

"Yes."
"That's what I call having a lien upon a daughter's property," cried

the notary. "Make her look her best to-night," he added with a sly
glance.

"She has a most charming dress for the occasion."
"The marriage-contract dress is, in my opinion, half the battle," said

Solonet.
This last argument seemed so cogent to Madame Evangelista that she

superintended Natalie's toilet herself, as much perhaps to watch her
daughter as to make her the innocent accomplice of her financial

conspiracy.
With her hair dressed a la Sevigne and wearing a gown of white tulle

adorned with pink ribbons, Natalie seemed to her mother so beautiful
as to guaranteevictory. When the lady's-maid left the room and Madame

Evangelista was certain that no one could overhear her, she arranged a
few curls on her daughter's head by way of exordium.

"Dear child," she said, in a voice that was firm apparently, "do you
sincerely love the Comte de Manerville?"

Mother and daughter cast strange looks at each other.
"Why do you ask that question, little mother? and to-day more than

yesterday> Why have you thrown me with him?"
"If you and I had to part forever would you still persist in the

marriage?"
"I should give it up--and I should not die of grief."

"You do not love him, my dear," said the mother, kissing her
daughter's forehead.

"But why, my dear mother, are you playing the Grand Inquisitor?"
"I wished to know if you desired the marriage without being madly in

love with the husband."
"I love him."

"And you are right. He is a count; we will make him a peer of France
between us; nevertheless, there are certain difficulties."

"Difficulties between persons who love each other? Oh, no. The heart
of the Pink of Fashion is too firmly planted here," she said, with a

pretty gesture, "to make the very slightest objection. I am sure of
that."

"But suppose it were otherwise?" persisted Madame Evangelista.
"He would be profoundly and forever forgotten," replied Natalie.

"Good! You are a Casa-Reale. But suppose, though he madly loves you,
suppose certain discussions and difficulties should arise, not of his

own making, but which he must decide in your interests as well as in
mine--hey, Natalie, what then? Without lowering your dignity, perhaps

a little softness in your manner might decide him--a word, a tone, a
mere nothing. Men are so made; they resist a serious argument, but

they yield to a tender look."
"I understand! a little touch to make my Favori leap the barrier,"

said Natalie, making the gesture of striking a horse with her whip.
"My darling! I ask nothing that resembles seduction. You and I have

sentiments of the old Castilian honor which will never permit us to
pass certain limits. Count Paul shall know our situation."

"What situation?"
"You would not understand it. But I tell you now that if after seeing

you in all your glory his look betrays the slightest hesitation,--and
I shall watch him,--on that instant I shall break off the marriage; I

will liquidate my property, leave Bordeaux, and go to Douai, to be
near the Claes. Madame Claes is our relation through the Temnincks.

Then I'll marry you to a peer of France, and take refuge in a convent
myself, that I may give up to you my whole fortune."

"Mother, what am I to do to prevent such misfortunes?" cried Natalie.
"I have never seen you so beautiful as you are now," replied her

mother. "Be a little coquettish, and all is well."
Madame Evangelista left Natalie to her thoughts, and went to arrange

her own toilet in such a way that would bear comparison with that of
her daughter. If Natalie ought to make herself attractive to Paul she