the room. Eugenie looked at her father with admiration.

"Well, good-by, des Grassins; it is all in your hands. Decoy those

people as best you can; lead 'em by the nose."

The two diplomatists shook hands. The old cooper accompanied the

banker to the front door. Then, after closing it, he came back and

plunged into his armchair, saying to Nanon,--

"Get me some black-currant ratafia."

Too excited, however, to remain long in one place, he got up, looked