She had expressed her tastes to Mme.

Renault in the arrangement of the new apartments, and chosen the hangings herself; and she no longer made any ceremony in talking with her intended of the happy life in common which was about beginning for them, of the people they would invite to the marriage ceremony, of the wedding calls to be made afterwards, of the day which should be appropriated for receptions and of the time they would devote to each other's society and to work.

She inquired in regard to the occupation which Leon intended to make for himself, and the hours which, of preference, he would give to study.

This excellent little woman would have been ashamed to bear the name of a sloth, and unhappy in passing her days with an idler.

She promised Leon in advance, to respect his work as a sacred thing.