if my dear Hortense were a laborer's daughter, I would marry
her----"

"That is just what I wanted to know," replied the Baron. "Run away,
Hortense, and leave me to talk business with Monsieur le Comte.--He
really loves you, you see!"

"Oh, papa, I was sure you were only in jest," said the happy girl.

"My dear Steinbock," said the Baron, with elaborate grace of diction and
the most perfect manners, as soon as he and the artist were alone, "I
promised my son a fortune of two hundred thousand francs, of which
the poor boy has never had a sou; and he never will get any of it. My
daughter's fortune will also be two hundred thousand francs, for which
you will give a receipt----"

"Yes, Monsieur le Baron."

"You go too fast," said Hulot. "Have the goodness to hear me out. I
cannot expect from a son-in-law such devotion as I look for from my son.
My son knew exactly all I could and would do for his future promotion:
he will be a Minister, and will easily make good his two hundred
thousand francs. But with you, young man, matters are different. I shall
give you a bond for sixty thousand francs in State funds at five per
cent, in your wife's name. This income will be diminished by a small
charge in the form of an annuity to Lisbeth; but she will not live long;
she is consumptive, I know. Tell no one; it is a secret; let the poor
soul die in peace.--My daughter will have a trousseau worth twenty
thousand francs; her mother will give her six thousand francs worth of
diamonds.

"Monsieur, you overpower me!" said Steinbock, quite bewildered.

"As to the remaining hundred and twenty thousand francs----"

"Say no more, monsieur," said Wenceslas. "I ask only for my beloved
Hortense----"

"Will you listen to me, effervescent youth!--As to the remaining hundred
and twenty thousand francs, I have not got them; but you will have
them--"

"Monsieur?"

"You will get them from the Government, in payment for commissions which
I will secure for you, I pledge you my word of honor. You are to have
a studio, you see, at the Government depot. Exhibit a few fine statues,
and I will get you received at the Institute. The highest personages
have a regard for my brother and for me, and I hope to succeed in
securing for you a commission for sculpture at Versailles up to a
quarter of the whole sum. You will have orders from the City of Paris
and from the Chamber of Peers; in short, my dear fellow, you will have
so many that you will be o