But it was only three or four months that he passed in Paris each year.  His mother made him an allowance Of 30,000 francs, and had declared to him that never, while she lived, should he have another penny before his marriage.  He knew his mother, he knew he must consider her words as serious.  Thus, wishing to make a good figure in Paris, and lead a merry life, he spent his 30,000 francs in three months, and then docilely returned to Lavardens, where he was “out at grass.”  He spent his time hunting, fishing, and riding with the officers of the artillery regiment quartered at Souvigny.  The little provincial milliners and grisettes replaced, without rendering him obvious of, the little singers and actresses of Paris.  By searching for them, one may still find grisettes in country towns, and Paul de Lavardens sought assiduously.

As soon as the Cure had reached Madame de Lavardens, she said:  “Without waiting for Monsieur de Larnac, I can tell you the names of the purchasers of the domain of Longueval.  I am quite easy on the subject, and have no doubt of the success of our plan.  In order to avoid any foolish disputes, we have agreed among ourselves, that is, among our neighbors, Monsieur de Larnac, Monsieur Gallard, a great Parisian banker, and myself.  Monsieur de Larnac will have La Mionne, Monsieur Gallard the castle and Blanche-Couronne, and La Rozeraie.  I know you, Monsieur le Cure, you will be anxious about your poor, but comfort yourself.  These Gallards are rich and will give you plenty of money.”

At this moment a cloud of dust appeared on the road, from it emerged a carriage.

“Here comes Monsieur de Larnac!” cried Paul, “I know his ponies!”

All three hurriedly descended from the terrace and returned to the castle.  They arrived there just as M. de Larnac’s carriage drove up to the entrance.

“Well?” asked Madame de Lavardens.

“Well!” replied M. de Larnac, “we have nothing.”

“What?  Nothing?” cried Madame de Lavardens, very pale and agitated.

“Nothing, nothing; absolutely nothing—­the one or the other of us.”

And M. de Larnac springing from his carriage, related what had taken place at the sale before the Tribunal of Souvigny.

“At first,” he said, “everything went upon wheels.  The castle went to Monsieur Gallard for 650,000 francs.  No competitor—­a raise of fifty francs had been sufficient.  On the other hand, there was a little battle for Blanche-Couronne.  The bids rose from 500,000 francs to 520,000 francs, and again Monsieur Gallard was victorious.  Another and more animated battle for La Rozeraie; at last it was knocked down to you, Madame, for 455,000 francs . . . .  I got the forest of La Mionne without opposition at a rise of 100 francs.  All seemed over, those present had risen, our solicitors were surrounded with persons asking the names of the purchasers.”