Olivier glided in to talk of the chances and changes of the State and the market.

Lucretia sat for hours listening mutely to the contractor's boasts of past frauds, or submitting to the martyrdom of his victorious games at tric-trac.

Gabriel, a spoiled darling, copied the pictures on the walls, complimented Madame, flattered Monsieur, and fawned on both for trinkets and crowns.

Like three birds of night and omen, these three evil natures settled on the rich man's roof.
Was the rich man himself blind to the motives which budded forth into such attentive affection?
His penetration was too acute, his ill opinion of mankind too strong, perhaps, for such amiable self-delusions.

But he took all in good part; availed himself of Dalibard's hints and suggestions as to the employment of his capital; was polite to Lucretia, and readily condemned her to be beaten at tric-trac; while he accepted with bonhomie Gabriel's spirited copies of his pictures.