"Well, and what do you conclude from that?" "I conclude from it that, through gratitude at least, we should allow the poor, laboring human bees the innocent pleasure of inhabiting for a single day the gilded hive they have built for idle drones like us, who enjoy the honey gathered by others." The countess, who had drawn a little apart, now again placed her hand on Florestan's arm and gently led him a little away from her aunt and M. de Riancourt. "Monsieur de Saint-Herem," she said with emotion, as they walked slowly on, "your idea is not only charming, but of a touching delicacy. I am no longer astonished at the air of contentment which pervades around us, and which I have remarked on the features of your guests. The more I think of it, the more generous and just it seems to me. After all, as you say, this is the work of these laborers, and you have honored and dignified labor by this fête. From your point of view, this mansion must be far more than an object of art and luxury to you, for many precious souvenirs are attached to its creation." "You are right, madame." "Then--" "Go on, madame," "I cannot understand why--" "Why do you hesitate? Pray, explain your thought!" There was a moment of silence, then she resumed, with some embarrassment: "Two days ago, in speaking of the difficulty of purchasing a mansion as large and sumptuous as I desired, M. de Riancourt recalled the fact that you wished to sell this property." "Yes; the duke wrote to me, requesting permission to visit the house. I begged him to wait till this evening, as he could then see the reception-rooms to more advantage--but I did not then anticipate the honor of receiving you." "Monsieur de Saint-Herem," she said, still hesitatingly, "you have been very indulgent to me--will you allow me one more question?" "Indulgence in this instance has been so sweet and agreeable to me, that I shall thank you for the opportunity of exercising it once more. What is it?" "How can you have the courage, or, rather--I shall use a very harsh word, I fear--how can you have the ingratitude to leave this house, which you have created with so much love, and to which are attached so many kind, generous souvenirs?" "Upon my word, madame!" he replied carelessly, as if he were saying the most natural thing in the world, "I must sell this mansion because I am ruined, completely ruined. This is my last day of good fortune and wealth, and you must admit, madame, that, thanks to your presence here, this day could not have a more brilliant or happier evening!" CHAPTER XIX. Florestan de Saint-Herem had uttered the words "I am ruined" with so much simplicity and carelessness that the countess gazed at him dumbfounded for a moment, unable to believe what she had heard. "What!" she finally gasped, "you are--"