second day of their
journey, he declared if he were alone he would travel all night.

"Do so now," said Blanche, graciously; "I do not feel fatigued in the
least, and a night of travel does not appall me."

They did travel all night, and the next day, about nine o'clock, they
alighted at the Hotel Meurice.

Martial scarcely took time to eat his breakfast.

"I must go and see my agent at once," he said, as he hurried off. "I
will soon be back."

He reappeared in about two hours, pleased and radiant.

"My agent was a simpleton," he exclaimed. "He was afraid to write me
that a man, upon whom the conclusion of the sale depends, demands a
bonus of fifty thousand francs. He shall have it in welcome."

Then, in a tone of gallantry, which he always used in addressing his
wife, he said:

"It only remains for me to sign the paper; but I will not do so unless
the house suits you. If you are not too tired, I would like you to visit
it at once. Time presses, and we have many competitors."

This visit was, of course, one of pure form; but Mme. Blanche would have
been hard to please if she had not been satisfied with this mansion,
one of the most magnificent in Paris, with an entrance on the Rue de
Crenelle, and large gardens shaded with superb trees, and extending to
the Rue de Varennes.

Unfortunately, this superb dwelling had not been occupied for several
years, and required many repairs.

"It will take at least six months to restore it," said Martial; "perhaps
more. It is true that they might in three months, perhaps, render a
portion of it very comfortable."

"It would be living in one's own house, at least," approved Blanche,
divining her husband's wishes.

"Ah! then you agree with me! In that case, you may rest assured that I
will expedite matters as much as possible."

In spite, or rather by reason of his immense fortune, the Marquis de
Sairmeuse knew that a person is never so well, nor so quickly served, as
when he serves himself, so he resolved to take the matter into his
own hands. He conferred with architects, interviewed contractors, and
hurried on the workmen.

As soon as he was up in the morning he started out without waiting for
breakfast, and seldom returned until dinner.

Although Blanche was compelled to pass most of her time within doors,
on account of the bad weather, she was not inclined to complain. Her
journey, the unaccustomed sights and sounds of Paris, the novelty of
life in a hotel, al