terms for some time previous to the scene which had
so fearfully agitated the millionaire; and, whatever may have been the
immediate promptings of his anger, his temper had cooled down
sufficiently, before the morning, to enable him to carry the matter off,
like a man of the world, with a tolerable grace. Whatever change for the
worse had taken place in his feelings towards his wife, he was able to
suppress the manifestation of it: but, as we have said, their relations
had of late been by no means cordial, and Monsieur Le Prun did not think
it necessary to affect any warmer sentiment toward his wife, nor any
abatement of the sinister estrangement which had been gradually growing
between them.

Meanwhile the preparations for the _fete_ proceeded at the Chateau des
Anges upon a scale worthy of the rarity of the occasion and the vastness
of the proprietor's fortune.

All these were carried on by Blassemare, who indulged his gallantry by
consulting the beautiful young wife of the fermier-general upon every
detail of the tasteful and magnificent arrangements as they proceeded.

Monsieur Le Prun had a special object in gratifying the great lady who
had insisted upon this sacrifice. Blassemare had, therefore, a _carte
blanche_ in the matter. There were to be musicians from Paris, bands of
winged instruments among the trees, galleys and singers upon the waters,
illuminated marquees and fanciful grottoes, feu d'artifice, and colored
lamps of every dye, in unimaginable profusion, theatricals, gaming,
feasting, dancing--in a word, every imaginable species of gayety,
revelry, and splendor.

As these grand projects began to unfold themselves, Lucille's ill-temper
began to abate. Her interest was awakened, and at last she became
pleased, astonished, and even delighted.

Now at length she hoped that the long-cherished object of her wishes was
about to be supplied, and that she was indeed to emerge from her
chrysalis state, and enjoy, among the sweets and gayeties of life, the
glittering freedom for which she felt herself so fitted, and had so long
sighed in vain; and which, moreover, as the reader may have suspected,
she desired also in furtherance of certain secret and cherished
aspirations.

Monsieur de Blassemare found his aesthetic and festive confidences most
encouragingly received by the handsome and imperious Madame Le Prun. The
subject of his consultations delighted her; and knowing well the close
relation in which he