"Bah! Parisians don't look so deep as that. In their eyes every rich stranger is a nabob, no matter where he comes from. This one, however, has just the physique for the part, coppery complexion, eyes like coals of fire, and in addition a gigantic fortune, of which he makes, I have no hesitation in saying, a most noble and most intelligent use. I owe it to him"--here the doctor assumed an air of modesty--"I owe it to him that I have succeeded at last in inaugurating the Work of Bethlehem for nursing infants, which a morning newspaper that I was looking over just now--the _Messager_, I think,--calls 'the great philanthropic idea of the century.'" The duke glanced in an absent-minded way at the sheet the doctor handed him. He was not the man to be taken in by paid puffs. "This Monsieur Jansoulet must be very wealthy," he said coldly. "He is a partner in Cardailhac's theatre. Monpavon persuades him to pay his debts, Bois-l'Hery stocks his stable for him and old Schwalbach furnishes a picture gallery. All that costs money." Jenkins began to laugh. "What can you expect, my dear duke; you are an object of great interest to the poor Nabob. Coming to Paris with a firm purpose to become a Parisian, a man of the world, he has taken you for his model in everything, and I do not conceal from you that he would be very glad to study his model at closer quarters." "I know, I know, Monpavon has already asked leave to bring him here. But I prefer to wait and see. One must be on one's guard with these great fortunes that come from such a distance. _Mon Dieu_, I don't say, you know, that if I should meet him elsewhere than in my own house, at the theatre, or in somebody's salon--" "It happens that Madame Jenkins intends to give a little party next month. If you would do us the honor--" "I shall be very glad to go to your house, my dear doctor, and if the Nabob should be there, I should not object to his being presented to me." At that moment the usher opened the door. "Monsieur le Ministre de l'Interieur is in the blue salon. He has but a word to say to Your Excellency. Monsieur le Prefet de Police is still waiting below, in the gallery." "Very good," said the duke, "I will go to him. But I should like to make a definite arrangement about this costume first. Let us see, friend What's-your-name, what do we decide about those ruffs? _Au revoir_, doctor. Nothing to do but keep on with the pearls, is there?"