Mrs.
Norton signed an agreement--100,000 francs a year, with the option of buying house and furniture for 2,000,000 during the first year of possession.

A famous upholsterer undertook to correct and subdue the exaggerated splendor of a loud and gorgeous luxury.

That done, Mrs.
Scott's friend had the good fortune to lay her hand on two of those eminent artists without whom the routine of a great house can neither be established nor carried on.

The first, a chef of the first rank, who had just left an ancient mansion of the Faubourg St.Germain, to his great regret, for he had aristocratic inclinations.
"Never," said he to Mrs.Norton, "never would I have left the service of Madame la Duchesse if she had kept up her establishment on the same footing as formerly; but Madame la Duchesse has four children--two sons who have run through a good deal, and two daughters who will soon be of an age to marry; they must have their dowries.

Therefore, Madame la Duchesse is obliged to draw in a little, and the house is no longer important enough for me." This distinguished character, of course, made his conditions.