the only person to superintend the arrangements, and to be free to introduce, without control, such improvements as I may judge suitable.  Should the committee demand a guaranty, I have on deposit with Monsieur de Samoreau a million francs which I intend to use in carrying out these operations.  Half of that sum may be consigned to the hands of some one they may wish to choose; the other half will serve to pay the laborers in proportion to their work.  In order to insure even greater regularity, have the kindness to draw up, to cover the interval that will elapse before I make my final definite donation, a provisionary document, setting forth the engagement that I have undertaken to carry out.”

“Here it is,” said the notary; “I have already prepared it.”

Having examined the document carefully, to assure herself that all statements contained therein were according to her intentions, Zibeline took her pen and wrote at the foot of the page:  “Read and approved,” and signed the paper.

“Mademoiselle appears to be well accustomed to business habits,” observed M. Durand, with a smile.

“That is because I have been trained to them since childhood,” she replied.  “My plan is to place this document myself in the hands of Madame la Duchesse de Montgeron.”

“You can do so this very afternoon, if you wish.  Thursday is her reception day,” said the notary, rising with a bow, preparatory to taking his leave.

“I shall take good care not to fail to call,” earnestly replied the fair Lady Bountiful.

She telephoned immediately to her head-groom, ordering ham to bring around her brougham at three o’clock.

CHAPTER XVIII

A MODERN TARTUFE

At the same hour that the elegant carriage of Zibeline was conducting her to the Hotel de Montgeron, M. Desvanneaux descended from a modest fiacre at the gate of the hotel occupied by Eugenie Gontier.

The first impulse of the actress—­who was engaged in studying a new role in her library—­was not to receive her importunate visitor; but a sudden idea changed her determination, and she gave the order to admit him.

“This is the first time that I have had the high favor of being admitted to this sanctuary,” said the churchwarden, kissing with ardor the hand that the actress extended to him.

“Don’t let us have so great a display of pious manifestations,” she said, withdrawing her hand from this act of humility, which was rather too prolonged.  “Sit down and be sensible,” she added.

“Can one be sensible when he finds himself at your feet, dear Mademoiselle?  At the feet of the idol who is so appropriately enthroned among so many artistic objects!” replied the honey-tongued Prudhomme, adjusting his eyeglasses.  “The bust of General de Prerolles, no doubt?” he added, inquiringly, scrutinizing a marble statuette placed on the high mantelpiece.