The financier remained silent.  Serge was weighing the question.  Herzog was happy; he had shown himself to all Paris in company with Madame Desvarennes’s son-in-law.  He had already realized one of his projects.  The carriage was just passing down the Champs Elysees.  The weather was lovely, and in the distance could be seen the trees of the Tuileries and the different monuments of the Place de la Concorde bathed in blue mist.  Groups of horsemen were cantering along the side avenues.  Long files of carriages were rolling rapidly by with well-dressed ladies.  The capital displayed at that hour all the splendor of its luxury.  It was Paris in all its strength and gayety.

Herzog stretched out his hand, and calling the Prince’s attention to the sight, said: 

“There’s your empire!”

Then, looking at him earnestly, he asked: 

“Is it agreed?”

Serge hesitated for a moment, and then bowed his head, saying: 

“It is agreed.”

Herzog pulled the check-string communicating with the coachman and alighted.

“Good-by,” said he to Panine.

He slipped into his own carriage, which had followed closely behind, and drove off.

From that day, even Jeanne had a rival.  The fever of speculation had seized on Serge; he had placed his little finger within the wheels and he must follow—­body, name, and soul.  The power which this new game exercised over him was incredible.  It was quite different to the stupid games at the club, always the same.  On the Bourse, everything was new, unexpected, sudden, and formidable.  The intensity of the feelings were increased a hundredfold, owing to the importance of the sums risked.

It was really a splendid sight to see Herzog manipulating matters, maneuvering with a miraculous dexterity millions of francs.  And then the field for operations was large.  Politics, the interests of nations, were the mainsprings which impelled the play, and the game assumed diplomatic vastness and financial grandeur.

From his private office Herzog issued orders, and whether his ability was really extraordinary, or whether fortune exceptionally favored him, success was certain.  Serge, from the first week, realized considerable sums.  This brilliant success threw him in a state of great excitement.  He believed everything that Herzog said to him as if it were gospel.  He saw the world bending under the yoke which he was about to impose upon it.  People working and toiling every day were doing so for him alone, and like one of those kings who had conquered the world, he pictured all the treasures of the earth laid at his feet.  From that time he lost the sense of right and wrong.  He admitted the unlikely, and found the impossible quite natural.  He was a docile tool in the hands of Herzog.

The rumor of this unforeseen change in Panine’s circumstances soon reached Madame Desvarennes’s ears.  The mistress was frightened, and sent for Cayrol, begging him to remain a director of the European Credit, in order to watch the progress of the new affair.  With her practical common sense, she foresaw disasters, and even regretted that Serge had not confined himself to cards and reckless living.