"Since we have the happiness to possess a representative government," said the Duke de Lucenay, "the country ought to vote a million or two a year to Saint-Remy, and authorise him to represent in Paris the French taste and elegance, which should decide the taste and elegance of all Europe,--all the world." "Adopted!" cried the guests in chorus. "And we would raise these annual millions as compulsory taxes on those abominable misers, who, being possessors of colossal fortunes, should be marked down, accused, and convicted of living like gripe-farthings," added M. de Lucenay. "And as such," added M. d'Harville, "condemned to defray those splendours which they ought to display." "Not including that these functions of high priest, or, rather, grand master of elegance, which would devolve on Saint-Remy," continued M. de Lucenay, "would have, by imitation, an enormous influence on the general taste." "He would be the type which all would seek to resemble." "That is evident." "And, in endeavouring to imitate him, taste would become purified." "At the time of the Renaissance taste became universally excellent, because it was modelled on that of the aristocracy, which was exquisite." "By the serious turn which the question has taken," said M. d'Harville, gaily, "I see that we have only to address a petition to the Chambers for the establishment of the office of grand master of French elegance." "And as the Deputies have credit for possessing very elevated, very artistic, and very magnificent ideas, of course it will be voted by acclamation." "Whilst we are waiting the decision which shall establish as a right the supremacy which Saint-Remy exercises in fact," said M. d'Harville, "I will ask him his opinion as to the gallery which I propose to erect; for I have been struck with his ideas as to the right splendour of fetes." "My faint lights are at your service, D'Harville." "And when shall we commence our magnificences, my dear fellow?" "Next year, I suppose, for I intend to begin my works without delay." "How full of projects you are!" "_Ma foi!_ I have others also; I contemplate an entire alteration of Val-Richer." "Your estate in Burgundy?" "Yes; there is much that may be done there, if, indeed, God grants me life." "Poor old fellow!" "Have you not recently bought a farm near Val-Richer to complete your ring-fence?" "Yes, a very nice thing, to which I was advised by my notary." "And who is this rare and precious notary who advises such admirable purchases?" "M. Jacques Ferrand." At this name a slight shudder came over M. de Saint-Remy, and he frowned imperceptibly. "Is he really the honest man they call him?" he inquired, carelessly, of M. d'Harville, who then remembered what Rodolph had related to Clemence about the notary. "Jacques Ferrand? What a question! Why, his honesty is a proverb," said M. de Lucenay. "As respected as respectable." "And very pious; which does him no harm."