"I love my wife, and am not ashamed to confess it; on the contrary, I boast of it."
"It is plain enough to be seen," said M. de Saint-Remy; "such a present speaks more eloquently than all the protestation in the world."
"I will take this necklace, then," said M. d"Harville, "if the setting of black enamel seems to you in good taste, Saint-Remy."
"Oh, it sets off the brilliancy of the stones; it is exquisitely devised."
"Then this it shall be," said M. d"Harville. "You will settle, M.
Baudoin, with M. Doublet, my man of business."
"M. Doublet told me as much, my lord marquis," said the jeweller, who quitted the apartment, after having packed up his bag without counting the jewels which he had brought (such was his confidence), and notwithstanding M. de Saint-Remy had for a long time and curiously handled and examined them during the interview.
M. d"Harville gave the necklace to Joseph, who was waiting, and said to him, in a low tone:
"Mlle. Juliette must put these diamonds cleverly away with those of her mistress, so that la marquise may not suspect; and then her surprise will be the greater."
At this moment the _maitre d"hotel_ announced that the breakfast was ready; and the guests, pa.s.sing into the dining-room, seated themselves.
"Do you know, my dear D"Harville," said M. de Lucenay, "that this house is one of the most elegant and best arranged in Paris?"
"It is very convenient, certainly, but we want room; I have a plan to add a gallery on the garden. Madame d"Harville wishes to give some grand b.a.l.l.s, and our salons are not large enough. Then, I think, nothing is more inconvenient than the encroachments of fetes on the apartments one usually occupies, and from which, on such occasions, you are necessarily driven."
"I am quite of D"Harville"s opinion," said M. de Saint-Remy; "nothing is more wretched, more tradesmanlike, than these movings, compelled by the coming of b.a.l.l.s and concerts. To give fetes, really of the first cla.s.s, without inconveniencing oneself, there must be devoted to their uses peculiar and special suites of apartments; and then vast and splendid rooms, devoted to a magnificent ball, ought to a.s.sume an appearance wholly distinct from that of ordinary salons. There is the same difference between these two sets of apartments as between a monumental fresco-painting and a sketch on a painter"s easel."
"He is right," said M. d"Harville. "What a pity, gentlemen, that Saint-Remy has not twelve or fifteen hundred thousand livres a year!
What wonders he would create for our admiration!"
"Since we have the happiness to possess a representative government,"
said the Duke de Lucenay, "the country ought to vote a million or two a year to Saint-Remy, and authorise him to represent in Paris the French taste and elegance, which should decide the taste and elegance of all Europe,--all the world."
"Adopted!" cried the guests in chorus.
"And we would raise these annual millions as compulsory taxes on those abominable misers, who, being possessors of colossal fortunes, should be marked down, accused, and convicted of living like gripe-farthings,"
added M. de Lucenay.
"And as such," added M. d"Harville, "condemned to defray those splendours which they ought to display."
"Not including that these functions of high priest, or, rather, grand master of elegance, which would devolve on Saint-Remy," continued M. de Lucenay, "would have, by imitation, an enormous influence on the general taste."
"He would be the type which all would seek to resemble."
"That is evident."
"And, in endeavouring to imitate him, taste would become purified."
"At the time of the Renaissance taste became universally excellent, because it was modelled on that of the aristocracy, which was exquisite."
"By the serious turn which the question has taken," said M. d"Harville, gaily, "I see that we have only to address a pet.i.tion to the Chambers for the establishment of the office of grand master of French elegance."
"And as the Deputies have credit for possessing very elevated, very artistic, and very magnificent ideas, of course it will be voted by acclamation."
"Whilst we are waiting the decision which shall establish as a right the supremacy which Saint-Remy exercises in fact," said M. d"Harville, "I will ask him his opinion as to the gallery which I propose to erect; for I have been struck with his ideas as to the right splendour of fetes."
"My faint lights are at your service, D"Harville."
"And when shall we commence our magnificences, my dear fellow?"
"Next year, I suppose, for I intend to begin my works without delay."
"How full of projects you are!"
"_Ma foi!_ I have others also; I contemplate an entire alteration of Val-Richer."
"Your estate in Burgundy?"
"Yes; there is much that may be done there, if, indeed, G.o.d grants me life."
"Poor old fellow!"
"Have you not recently bought a farm near Val-Richer to complete your ring-fence?"
"Yes, a very nice thing, to which I was advised by my notary."
"And who is this rare and precious notary who advises such admirable purchases?"
"M. Jacques Ferrand."
At this name a slight shudder came over M. de Saint-Remy, and he frowned imperceptibly.
"Is he really the honest man they call him?" he inquired, carelessly, of M. d"Harville, who then remembered what Rodolph had related to Clemence about the notary.
"Jacques Ferrand? What a question! Why, his honesty is a proverb," said M. de Lucenay.
"As respected as respectable."
"And very pious; which does him no harm."
"Excessively stingy; which is a guarantee for his clients."
"In fact, he is one of the notaries of the "old rock," who ask you whom you take them for when you ask them for a receipt for the money which you place in their hands."
"That would have no effect on me; I would trust him with my whole fortune."
"But where the deuce did Saint-Remy imbibe his doubts with respect to this honest man, whose integrity is proverbial?"
"I am but the echo of certain vague reports; besides, I have no reason for running down this phoenix of notaries. But to return to your plans, D"Harville, what is it you wish to build at Val-Richer? I have heard that the chateau is excessively beautiful."
"Make yourself easy, my dear Saint-Remy, for you shall be consulted, and sooner than you expect, perhaps, for I take much pleasure in such works.
I think that there is nothing more interesting than to have those affairs in hand, which expand as you examine them, and they advance, giving you occupation for years to come. To-day one project, next year another, after that something else springs up. Add to this a charming woman whom one adores, and who shares your every taste and pleasure, then, _ma foi!_ life pa.s.ses sweetly enough."