"Ah, it is worthy of the lot of a great lord such as you are! Oh, you are like those masterpieces of art which need a splendidly carved frame! Well, you have your frame, and well gilt too!" He laughed and seemed pleased at Serge's happiness.

He had taken one of his hands and was patting it softly between his own.
"Not a very 'convenient' mother-in-law, for instance," he went on, good-naturedly; "but you are so charming! Only you could have, coaxed Madame Desvarennes, and you have succeeded.

Oh! she likes you, my dear Prince; she told me so only a little while ago.

You have won her heart.
I don't know how you manage it, but you are irresistible! By the way, I was not there when the marriage contract was read, and I, forgot to ask Cayrol.

Under what conditions art you married ?" The Prince looked at Herzog with a look that was hardly friendly.
But the financier appeared so indifferent, that Serge could not help answering him: "My wife's fortune is settled on herself." "Ah! ah! that is usual in Normandy!" replied Herzog with a grave look.
"I was told Madame Desvarennes was a clever woman and she has proved it.
And you signed the contract with your eyes shut, my dear Prince.