"But the lease is void, Master Thierry, for I did not sign it, and by the provisions of our matrimonial agreements, Monsieur le Marquis d'Estrelle was not empowered to do any act without my express assent." "So that Madame Thierry will be compelled to give up her lease without indemnity?" "I am very sorry for her; but you know my contract by heart; look at the lease and you will be satisfied that it is of no validity." She produced the lease, which was in her pocket, and showed it. There was nothing to be said. "What difference does this make to you?" said the marchioness, laughing at Marcel's consternation. "Madame la comtesse is still in a position to compensate Madame Thierry for this annoyance. We don't count the expense with our friends!" "You are right, madame," replied Julie with dignity, "and I thank you for the opportunity you give me of showing my devotion to Madame Thierry. But I decline your gracious offer. Madame Thierry and I will go from your house together in an hour." "Together?" said the marchioness. "So much frankness was not necessary, madame!" Julie was about to reply when a loud ring in the antechamber made the marchioness start. "Come, no useless quarrels!" she said, suddenly changing her tone; "here are visitors. Sign, my dear; let us have done!" And, as the footman was about to announce someone, she called to him: "Say that we are not receiving yet; let the person wait!" "Excuse me, madame," said Julie, offended by this authoritative tone in her presence, "I am still still in my own house." Marcel, who had noticed the marchioness's sudden impatience, was conscious of an ill-defined but imperative impulse. He took the pen from Julie's hand. The marchioness turned pale, Marcel kept his eyes upon her. "Shall I announce the visitor?" the footman asked Julie. "Yes," replied Marcel, hastily, for he had seen the visitor's face through the open door. "Yes," echoed Julie, impelled by Marcel's excitement. "Monsieur Antoine Thierry!" said the servant in a loud voice. Julie rose with a gesture of surprise. The marchioness, who was standing, sat down again with an angry exclamation. The horticulturist entered, embarrassed, awkward as usual, but none the less holding his head erect, with the irascible countenance which always presented such a curious contrast to his timid manners. Without a direct salutation to anyone, he walked forward in a zigzag line, but very quickly, to the table, to the document, to the inkstand, and, looking at Julie, said in a sullen tone, in which an indefinable trace of anxiety could be detected: "Have you concluded anything?" "Nothing is concluded, since you are here," replied Marcel. "Do you happen to have come to make a bid, monsieur my uncle?" "No one can bid," said the marchioness, in great excitement. "Everything is settled. I appeal to the good faith of----"