She who, down to that time, had stood as a supplicant before the
doors of the rich, could herself have a princely dwelling, and could
devote great sums to its adornment. The most celebrated makers were
called on, to furnish the furniture and the decorations, and, as if
by a touch of magic, she was surrounded by fabulous luxury; the
fairest equipages stood ready for her, the finest horses in her
stable, and a troop of lackeys waited upon the beck of the fair lady
who displayed her princely splendor before them. A choice silver
service glittered upon her table, and she possessed valuables worth
more than a hundred thousand francs. More than this, she enjoyed the
best of all, a tender and devoted husband, who overloaded her with
presents; from London, whither he was called by pressing family
affairs, he sent his wife a medallion of diamonds, which was
subsequently estimated at two hundred and thirty louis-d'ors, and a
pearl bracelet worth two hundred louis-d'ors. Returning from his
journey, he surprised his wife with a new and splendid present. He
had purchased a palace in Bar-sur-Aube, and thither the whole costly
furniture of his hired house was carried. Would you know where all
these rare gifts wore drawn? The Countess Lamotte had broken the
necklace, and taken the stones from their setting.
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