tical revolutions
now exert an influence over the prospects of families, which never
happened in former times. In those days existences were clearly defined;
so were rank and position--"

"We are not here for a lecture on political ceremony, but to draw up a
marriage contract," said Solonet, interrupting the old man, impatiently.

"I beg you to allow me to speak in my turn as I see fit," replied the
other.

Solonet turned away and sat down on the ottoman, saying, in a low voice,
to Madame Evangelista:--

"You will now hear what we call in the profession 'balderdash.'"

"Notaries are therefore compelled to follow the course of political
events, which are now intimately connected with private interests. Here
is an example: formerly noble families owned fortunes that were never
shaken, but which the laws, promulgated by the Revolution, destroyed,
and the present system tends to reconstruct," resumed the old notary,
yielding to the loquacity of the "tabellionaris boa-constrictor"
(boa-notary). "Monsieur le comte by his name, his talents, and his
fortune is called upon to sit some day in the elective Chamber. Perhaps
his destiny will take him to the hereditary Chamber, for we know that he
has talent and means enough to fulfil that expectation. Do you not agree
with me, madame?" he added, turning to the widow.

"You anticipate my dearest hope," she replied. "Monsieur de Manerville
must be a peer of France, or I shall die of mortification."

"Therefore all that leads to that end--" continued Mathias with a
cordial gesture to the astute mother-in-law.

"--will promote my eager desire," she replied.

"Well, then," said Mathias, "is not this marriage the proper occasion on
which to entail the estate and create the family? Such a course would,
undoubtedly, militate in the mind of the present government in favor of
the nomination of my client whenever a batch of appointments is sent in.
Monsieur le comte can very well afford to devote the estate of
Lanstrac (which is worth a million) to this purpose. I do not ask that
mademoiselle should contribute an equal sum; that would not be just.
But we can surely apply eight hundred thousand of her patrimony to this
object. There are two domains adjoining Lanstrac now to be sold, which
can be purchased for that sum, which will return in rentals four and a
half per cent. The house in Paris should be included in the entail. The
surplus of the two fortunes, if judiciously managed, wil