And at such moments his eyes would grow winning, and his features assume an expression of intense satisfaction.

Yet never did these projects pass beyond the stage of debate.

Likewise there lay in his study a book with the fourteenth page permanently turned down.

It was a book which he had been reading for the past two years! In general, something seemed to be wanting in the establishment.

For instance, although the drawing-room was filled with beautiful furniture, and upholstered in some fine silken material which clearly had cost no inconsiderable sum, two of the chairs lacked any covering but bast, and for some years past the master had been accustomed to warn his guests with the words, "Do not sit upon these chairs; they are not yet ready for use." Another room contained no furniture at all, although, a few days after the marriage, it had been said: "My dear, to-morrow let us set about procuring at least some TEMPORARY furniture for this room." Also, every evening would see placed upon the drawing-room table a fine bronze candelabrum, a statuette representative of the Three Graces, a tray inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and a rickety, lop-sided copper invalide.