“It is nothing else,” replied Paul.  “But see how late it is; I ought to go.”

“Why leave so soon to-night?” said Madame Evangelista, employing those coaxing ways to which men are so sensitive.

Though all this passed on the best of terms, and according to the laws of the most exquisite politeness, the effect of the discussion of these contending interests had, nevertheless, cast between son and mother-in-law a seed of distrust and enmity which was liable to sprout under the first heat of anger, or the warmth of a feeling too harshly bruised.  In most families the settlement of “dots” and the deeds of gift required by a marriage contract give rise to primitive emotions of hostility, caused by self-love, by the lesion of certain sentiments, by regret for the sacrifices made, and by the desire to diminish them.  When difficulties arise there is always a victorious side and a vanquished one.  The parents of the future pair try to conclude the matter, which is purely commercial in their eyes, to their own advantage; and this leads to the trickery, shrewdness, and deception of such negotiations.  Generally the husband alone is initiated into the secret of these discussions, and the wife is kept, like Natalie, in ignorance of the stipulations which make her rich or poor.

As he left the house, Paul reflected that, thanks to the cleverness of his notary, his fortune was almost entirely secured from injury.  If Madame Evangelista did not live apart from her daughter their united household would have an income of more than a hundred thousand francs to spend.  All his expectations of a happy and comfortable life would be realized.

“My mother-in-law seems to me an excellent woman,” he thought, still under the influence of the cajoling manner by which she had endeavored to disperse the clouds raised by the discussion.  “Mathias is mistaken.  These notaries are strange fellows; they envenom everything.  The harm started from that little cock-sparrow Solonet, who wanted to play a clever game.”

While Paul went to bed recapitulating the advantages he had won during the evening, Madame Evangelista was congratulating herself equally on her victory.

“Well, darling mother, are you satisfied?” said Natalie, following Madame Evangelista into her bedroom.

“Yes, love,” replied the mother, “everything went well, according to my wishes; I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders which was crushing me.  Paul is a most easy-going man.  Dear fellow! yes, certainly, we must make his life prosperous.  You will make him happy, and I will be responsible for his political success.  The Spanish ambassador used to be a friend of mine, and I’ll renew the relation—­as I will with the rest of my old acquaintance.  Oh! you’ll see! we shall soon be in the very heart of Parisian life; all will be enjoyment for us.  You shall have the pleasures, my dearest, and I the last occupation of existence,—­the game of ambition!  Don’t be alarmed when you see me selling this house.  Do you suppose we shall ever come back to live in Bordeaux? no.  Lanstrac? yes.  But we shall spend all our winters in Paris, where our real interests lie.  Well, Natalie, tell me, was it very difficult to do what I asked of you?”