Firmin had lighted the lamps, two of them.

They made but a small oasis of light in a desert of dim hall.

The millionaire let himself down very gingerly into an Empire chair, as if he feared, with excellent reason, that it might collapse under his weight.
"Well, my dear Duke," he said, "you don't ask me the result of my official lunch or what the minister said." "Is there any news ?" said the Duke carelessly.
"Yes.

The decree will be signed to-morrow.

You can consider yourself decorated.