When I went, the day before yesterday, to see whether my last whim had been carried out, tears rose to my eyes; and, to the great surprise of my architect, I at once passed his account for payment.

“But, madame,” he exclaimed, “your man of business will refuse to pay this; it is a matter of three hundred thousand francs.”  My only reply was to add the words, “To be paid without question,” with the bearing of a seventeenth-century Chaulieu.

“But,” I said, “there is one condition to my gratitude.  No human being must hear from you of the park and buildings.  Promise me, on your honor, to observe this article in our contract—­not to breathe to a soul the proprietor’s name.”

Now, can you understand the meaning of my sudden journeys, my mysterious comings and goings?  Now, do you know whither those beautiful things, which the world supposes to be sold, have flown?  Do you perceive the ultimate motive of my change of investment?  Love, my dear, is a vast business, and they who would succeed in it should have no other.  Henceforth I shall have no more trouble from money matters; I have taken all the thorns out of my life, and done my housekeeping work once for all with a vengeance, so as never to be troubled with it again, except during the daily ten minutes which I shall devote to my old major-domo Philippe.  I have made a study of life and its sharp curves; there came a day when death also gave me harsh lessons.  Now I want to turn all this to account.  My one occupation will be to please him and love him, to brighten with variety what to common mortals is monotonously dull.

Gaston is still in complete ignorance.  At my request he has, like myself, taken up his quarters at Ville d’Avray; to-morrow we start for the chalet.  Our life there will cost but little; but if I told you the sum I am setting aside for my toilet, you would exclaim at my madness, and with reason.  I intend to take as much trouble to make myself beautiful for him every day as other women do for society.  My dress in the country, year in, year out, will cost twenty-four thousand francs, and the larger portion of this will not go in day costumes.  As for him, he can wear a blouse if he pleases!  Don’t suppose that I am going to turn our life into an amorous duel and wear myself out in devices for feeding passion; all that I want is to have a conscience free from reproach.  Thirteen years still lie before me as a pretty woman, and I am determined to be loved on the last day of the thirteenth even more fondly than on the morrow of our mysterious nuptials.  This time no cutting words shall mar my lowly, grateful content.  I will take the part of servant, since that of mistress throve so ill with me before.

Ah!  Renee, if Gaston has sounded, as I have, the heights and depths of love, my happiness is assured!  Nature at the chalet wears her fairest face.  The woods are charming; each step opens up to you some fresh vista of cool greenery, which delights the soul by the sweet thoughts it wakens.  They breathe of love.  If only this be not the gorgeous theatre dressed by my hand for my own martyrdom!