to be one of the same kind as herself?"

"I don't know about that," said Desroches, "but what I can tell you
is that in her business as procuress--as it was called in days less
decorous than our own--the worthy woman has made a fortune, and now,
without any serious change of occupation, she lives magnificently in
the rue de Provence, where she carries on the business of a matrimonial
agency."

"Is that where you are going to dine?" asked Maxime.

"Yes, with the director of the London opera-house, Emile Blondet, Finot,
Lousteau, Felicien Vernon, Theodore Gaillard, Hector Merlin, and Bixiou,
who was commissioned to invite me, as it seems they are in want of my
_experience_ and _capacity for business_!"

"_Ah ca_! then there's some financial object in this dinner?"

"No; it merely concerns a theatrical venture,--the engagement of a prima
donna; and they want to submit the terms of the contract to my judgment.
You understand that the rest of the guests are invited to trumpet the
affair as soon as the papers are signed."

"Who is the object of all this preparation?"

"Oh! a _star_,--destined, they say, to European success; an Italian,
discovered by a Swedish nobleman, Comte Halphertius, through the
medium of Madame de Saint-Esteve. The illustrious manager of the London
opera-house is negotiating this treaty in order that she shall make her
first appearance at his theatre."

"Well, adieu, my dear fellow; a pleasant dinner," said Maxime, preparing
to depart. "If your star shines in London, it will probably appear
in our firmament next winter. As for me, I must go and attend to the
sunrise in Arcis. By the bye, where does Massol live?"

"Faith! I couldn't tell you that. I never myself trust him with a case,
for I will not employ barristers who dabble in politics. But you can
get his address from the 'Gazette des Tribuneaux'; he is one of their
reporters."

Maxime went to the office of that newspaper; but, probably on account
of creditors, the office servant had express orders not to give the
barrister's address, so that, in spite of his arrogant, imperious
manner, Monsieur de Trailles obtained no information. Happily, he
bethought him that he frequently saw Massol at the Opera, and he
resolved to seek him there that evening. Before going to dinner, he
went to the lodgings in the rue Montmartre, where he had installed
the Romilly peasant-woman and her counsel, whom Madame Beauvisage had
already sent to Paris. He fou