ersation, but his habits of life. He mixed with those
much wealthier than himself, but not better born; those who, in the
hot and fierce ferment of that new society, were rising fast into new
aristocracy,--the fortunate soldiers, daring speculators, plunderers of
many an argosy that had been wrecked in the Great Storm. Every one about
them was actuated by the keen desire "to make a fortune;" the desire
was contagious. They were not absolutely poor in the proper sense of the
word "poverty," with Dalibard's annuity and the interest of Lucretia's
fortune; but they were poor compared to those with whom they
associated,--poor enough for discontent. Thus, the image of the mighty
wealth from which, perhaps, but a single life divided them, became
horribly haunting. To Gabriel's sensual vision the image presented
itself in the shape of unlimited pleasure and prodigal riot; to Lucretia
it wore the solemn majesty of power; to Dalibard himself it was but the
Eureka of a calculation,--the palpable reward of wile and scheme and
dexterous combinations. The devil had temptations suited to each.

Meanwhile, the Dalibards were more and more with the Bellangers. Olivier
glided in to talk of the chances and changes of the State and the
market. Lucretia sat for hours listening mutely to the contractor's
boasts of past frauds, or submitting to the martyrdom of his victorious
games at tric-trac. Gabriel, a spoiled darling, copied the pictures on
the walls, complimented Madame, flattered Monsieur, and fawned on both
for trinkets and crowns. Like three birds of night and omen, these three
evil natures settled on the rich man's roof.

Was the rich man himself blind to the motives which budded forth into
such attentive affection? His penetration was too acute, his ill opinion
of mankind too strong, perhaps, for such amiable self-delusions. But
he took all in good part; availed himself of Dalibard's hints and
suggestions as to the employment of his capital; was polite to Lucretia,
and readily condemned her to be beaten at tric-trac; while he accepted
with bonhomie Gabriel's spirited copies of his pictures. But at times
there was a gleam of satire and malice in his round gray eyes, and
an inward chuckle at the caresses and flatteries he received, which
perplexed Dalibard and humbled Lucretia. Had his wealth been wholly at
his own disposal, these signs would have been inauspicious; but the
new law was strict, and the bulk of Bellanger's property cou