“It is true,” said the impassioned artist.  “I must seem very ambitious.  But if my dear Hortense were a laborer’s daughter, I would marry her——­”

“That is just what I wanted to know,” replied the Baron.  “Run away, Hortense, and leave me to talk business with Monsieur le Comte.—­He really loves you, you see!”

“Oh, papa, I was sure you were only in jest,” said the happy girl.

“My dear Steinbock,” said the Baron, with elaborate grace of diction and the most perfect manners, as soon as he and the artist were alone, “I promised my son a fortune of two hundred thousand francs, of which the poor boy has never had a sou; and he never will get any of it.  My daughter’s fortune will also be two hundred thousand francs, for which you will give a receipt——­”

“Yes, Monsieur le Baron.”

“You go too fast,” said Hulot.  “Have the goodness to hear me out.  I cannot expect from a son-in-law such devotion as I look for from my son.  My son knew exactly all I could and would do for his future promotion:  he will be a Minister, and will easily make good his two hundred thousand francs.  But with you, young man, matters are different.  I shall give you a bond for sixty thousand francs in State funds at five per cent, in your wife’s name.  This income will be diminished by a small charge in the form of an annuity to Lisbeth; but she will not live long; she is consumptive, I know.  Tell no one; it is a secret; let the poor soul die in peace.—­My daughter will have a trousseau worth twenty thousand francs; her mother will give her six thousand francs worth of diamonds.

“Monsieur, you overpower me!” said Steinbock, quite bewildered.

“As to the remaining hundred and twenty thousand francs——­”

“Say no more, monsieur,” said Wenceslas.  “I ask only for my beloved Hortense——­”

“Will you listen to me, effervescent youth!—­As to the remaining hundred and twenty thousand francs, I have not got them; but you will have them—­”

“Monsieur?”

“You will get them from the Government, in payment for commissions which I will secure for you, I pledge you my word of honor.  You are to have a studio, you see, at the Government depot.  Exhibit a few fine statues, and I will get you received at the Institute.  The highest personages have a regard for my brother and for me, and I hope to succeed in securing for you a commission for sculpture at Versailles up to a quarter of the whole sum.  You will have orders from the City of Paris and from the Chamber of Peers; in short, my dear fellow, you will have so many that you will be obliged to get assistants.  In that way I shall pay off my debt to you.  You must say whether this way of giving a portion will suit you; whether you are equal to it.”

“I am equal to making a fortune for my wife single-handed if all else failed!” cried the artist-nobleman.

“That is what I admire!” cried the Baron.  “High-minded youth that fears nothing.  Come,” he added, clasping hands with the young sculptor to conclude the bargain, “you have my consent.  We will sign the contract on Sunday next, and the wedding shall be on the following Saturday, my wife’s fete-day.”