"I'll sell it for you. I hope to see you in Paris next winter, Monsieur Monin, and to know you better." "Certainly, monsieur." "You must come to our house to play cards." "Do you play loo?" "No, but écarté, and boston. I have a very pretty house to sell you." "Do you mean it?" "Yes, it's a great opportunity; the price is nothing at all." "Is it insured?" "I don't know; we will talk about all those things later; go out and take a turn in the garden. I am going to find out if they have any idea of giving us some luncheon." Monin left the room; as Monsieur Destival turned to do likewise he confronted his wife, who exclaimed: "What, monsieur! you have asked Monsieur Monin to call on us in Paris?" "To be sure, madame." "It's well enough in the country, because he's a neighbor. But in town! A man who can't say anything or do anything, and who knows no game but loo!" "He is rich, madame." "What if he is? that doesn't prevent his being as stupid as an owl." "He won't be the first stupid person who has been to my house, madame. When one receives a great deal of company, it can't be otherwise. And besides, with your men of intellect, your authors and your poets, there's not a sou to be made." "If you're so fond of money, monsieur, why do you invite so many people to your country house? It is ruinously extravagant, monsieur." "Never fear, madame; I invite none but those who may be useful to me. Oh! I am very shrewd, I look a long way ahead. La Thomassinière is a valuable acquaintance, and I am very desirous to become intimate with him. I know that he often makes himself very ridiculous, that he tries to play the great man, and that the rôle isn't suited to him; that he occasionally makes blunders in speaking that smell horribly of his origin; that he is tiresome beyond words with his carriage, his estates, his property and his servants, whom he is forever throwing in one's face; but for all that, he's a man for whom I have a peculiar esteem and regard, because, as I told you just now, madame, I look a long way ahead.--But how about luncheon?" "Speak to Baptiste, monsieur; I have given my orders to Julie." Madame Destival went into the garden, where the petite-maîtresse was strolling about, gathering a bouquet. "I am picking your flowers, you see," she said. "You are doing just right, my dear love; pray take all that you please." "Your garden is lovely." "Oh! it isn't very extensive; but there is plenty of shade, and that's what I like." "So do I. I have had a forest planted on our estate at Fleury. It will be delicious, I assure you." "But before it grows----" "Oh! we have set out nothing but large trees. I will send you an invitation for next month. I am waiting for the painting and decorating I am having done to be finished, before going there for a month. But I shall take plenty of guests; for I don't like the country except with a lot of people about." "For my part, I am rather fond of solitude."