CHAPTER VII.
IN THE STUDIO.
Staggering like a drunken man, Paul Violaine descended the stairs when his interview with Mascarin had been concluded.

The sudden and unexpected good fortune which had fallen so opportunely at his feet had for the moment absolutely stunned him.

He was now removed from a position which had caused him to gaze with longing upon the still waters of the Seine, to one of comparative affluence.

"Mascarin," said he to himself, "has offered me an appointment bringing in twelve thousand francs per annum, and proposed to give me the first month's salary in advance." Certainly it was enough to bewilder any man, and Paul was utterly dazed.
He went over all the events that had occurred during the day--the sudden appearance of old Tantaine, with his loan of five hundred francs, and the strange man who knew the whole history of his life, and who, without making any conditions, had offered him a valuable situation.

Paul was in no particular hurry to get back to the Hotel de Perou, for he said to himself that Rose could wait.