ything to her daughter, whom she adores, and Natalie will, no doubt,
prove a good wife, for she loves her mother. You must soon bring the
matter to a conclusion."

"That is all very well," replied Paul, who, in spite of his love, was
desirous of keeping his freedom of action, "but I must be sure that the
conclusion shall be a happy one."

He now went frequently to Madame Evangelista's, partly to occupy his
vacant hours, which were harder for him to employ than for most men.
There alone he breathed the atmosphere of grandeur and luxury to which
he was accustomed.

At forty years of age, Madame Evangelista was beautiful, with the
beauty of those glorious summer sunsets which crown a cloudless day. Her
spotless reputation had given an endless topic of conversation to the
Bordeaux cliques; the curiosity of the women was all the more lively
because the widow gave signs of the temperament which makes a Spanish
woman and a Creole particularly noted. She had black eyes and hair, the
feet and form of a Spanish woman,--that swaying form the movements of
which have a name in Spain. Her face, still beautiful, was particularly
seductive for its Creole complexion, the vividness of which can be
described only by comparing it to muslin overlying crimson, so equally
is the whiteness suffused with color. Her figure, which was full and
rounded, attracted the eye by a grace which united nonchalance with
vivacity, strength with ease. She attracted and she imposed, she
seduced, but promised nothing. She was tall, which gave her at times
the air and carriage of a queen. Men were taken by her conversation
like birds in a snare; for she had by nature that genius which necessity
bestows on schemes; she advanced from concession to concession,
strengthening herself with what she gained to ask for more, knowing
well how to retreat with rapid steps when concessions were demanded in
return. Though ignorant of facts, she had known the courts of Spain
and Naples, the celebrated men of the two Americas, many illustrious
families of England and the continent, all of which gave her so
extensive an education superficially that it seemed immense. She
received her society with the grace and dignity which are never learned,
but which come to certain naturally fine spirits like a second nature;
assimilating choice things wherever they are met. If her reputation
for virtue was unexplained, it gave at any rate much authority to her
actions, her conversation,