occurred to you of raising money to pay off these incumbrances?"

"No. What means can there be? The estate is mortgaged to its full value:
so they say, at least."

"And they say true," put in the notary quickly. "But do not distress
yourself, madame: confide in me."

"Ah, my good friend, may Heaven reward you."

"Madame, up to the present time I have no complaint to make of Heaven.
I am on the rise: here, mademoiselle, is a gimcrack they have given me;"
and he unbuttoned his overcoat, and showed them a piece of tricolored
ribbon and a clasp. "As for me, I look to 'the solid;' I care little for
these things," said he, swelling visibly, "but the world is dazzled by
them. However, I can show you something better." He took out a letter.
"This is from the Minister of the Interior to a client of mine: a
promise I shall be the next prefect; and the present prefect--I am happy
to say--is on his death-bed. Thus, madame, your humble servant in a few
short months will be notary no longer, but prefect; I shall then sell my
office of notary: and I flatter myself when I am a prefect you will not
blush to own me."

"Then, as now, monsieur," said the baroness politely, "we shall
recognize your merit. But"--

"I understand, madame: like me you look to 'the solid.' Thus then it is;
I have money."

"Ah! all the better for you."