see all difficulties vanish. "I know no one so downright in speech
as that old Mathias. May God hear him, and make me peer of France! Dear
Natalie, I desire this for your sake more than for my own. You are my
ambition; I live only in you."

Hearing this speech uttered in the accents of the heart, and noting,
more especially, the limpid azure of Paul's eyes, whose glance betrayed
no thought of double meaning, Madame Evangelista's satisfaction was
complete. She regretted the sharp language with which she had spurred
him, and in the joy of success she resolved to reassure him as to the
future. Calming her countenance, and giving to her eyes that expression
of tender friendship which made her so attractive, she smiled and
answered:--

"I can say as much to you. Perhaps, dear Paul, my Spanish nature has
led me farther than my heart desired. Be what you are,--kind as God
himself,--and do not be angry with me for a few hasty words. Shake
hands."

Paul was abashed; he fancied himself to blame, and he kissed Madame
Evangelista.

"Dear Paul," she said with much emotion, "why could not those two sharks
have settled this matter without dragging us into it, since it was so
easy to settle?"

"In that case I should not have known how grand and generous you can
be," replied Paul.

"Indeed she is, Paul," cried Natalie, pressing his hand.

"We have still a few little matters to settle, my dear son," said Madame
Evangelista. "My daughter and I are above the foolish vanities to which
so many persons cling. Natalie does not need my diamonds, but I am glad
to give them to her."

"Ah! my dear mother, do you suppose that I will accept them?"

"Yes, my child; they are one of the conditions of the contract."

"I will not allow it; I will not marry at all," cried Natalie,
vehemently. "Keep those jewels which my father took such pride in
collecting for you. How could Monsieur Paul exact--"

"Hush, my dear," said her mother, whose eyes now filled with tears. "My
ignorance of business compels me to a greater sacrifice than that."

"What sacrifice?"

"I must sell my house in order to pay the money that I owe to you."

"What money can you possibly owe to me?" she said; "to me, who owe
you life! If my marriage costs you the slightest sacrifice, I will not
marry."

"Child!"

"Dear Natalie, try to understand that neither I, nor your mother, nor
you yourself, require these sacrifices, but our children."

"Suppose I do not marry at