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met in the crowded salesrooms； they proceeded to examine the jewels together； fixing beforehand； the price they would offer。 But he； quick to become exasperated by opposition； always went further； hurling numbers at his competitors as though they were blows。 After such excursions； the senora would appear as majestic and dazzling as a basilica of Byzantiumears and neck decorated with great pearls； her bosom a constellation of brilliants； her hands radiating points of light of all colors of the rainbow。
〃Too much； mama；〃 Chichi would protest。 〃They will take you for a pawnbroker's lady！〃 But the Creole； satisfied with her splendor； the crowning glory of a humble life； attributed her daughter's faultfinding to envy。 Chichi was only a girl now； but later on she would thank her for having collected all these gems for her。
Already the home was unable to accommodate so many purchases。 In the cellars were piled up enough paintings； furniture； statues； and draperies to equip several other dwellings。 Don Marcelo began to complain of the cramped space in an apartment costing twenty…eight thousand francs a yearin reality large enough for a family four times the size of his。 He was beginning to deplore being obliged to renounce some very tempting furniture bargains when a real estate agent smelled out the foreigner and relieved him of his embarrassment。 Why not buy a castle？ 。 。 。
The entire family was delighted with the idea。 An historic castle； the most historic that could be found； would supplement their luxurious establishment。 Chichi paled with pride。 Some of her friends had castles。 Others； of old colonial family； who were accustomed to look down upon her for her country bringing up； would now cry with envy upon learning of this acquisition which was almost a patent of nobility。 The mother smiled in the hope of months in the country which would recall the simple and happy life of her youth。 Julio was less enthusiastic。 The 〃old man〃 would expect him to spend much time away from Paris； but he consoled himself by reflecting that the suburban place would provide excuse for frequent automobile trips。
Desnoyers thought of the relatives in Berlin。 Why should he not have his castle like the others？ 。 。 。 The bargains were alluring。 Historic mansions by the dozen were offered him。 Their owners； exhausted by the expense of maintaining them； were more than anxious to sell。 So he bought the castle of Villeblanche…sur…Marne； built in the time of the religious warsa mixture of palace and fortress with an Italian Renaissance facade； gloomy towers with pointed hoods； and moats in which swans were swimming。
He could now live with some tracts of land over which to exercise his authority； struggling again with the resistance of men and things。 Besides； the vast proportions of the rooms of the castle were very tempting and bare of furniture。 This opportunity for placing the overflow from his cellars plunged him again into buying。 With this atmosphere of lordly gloom； the antiques would harmonize beautifully； without that cry of protest which they always seemed to make when placed in contact with the glaring white walls of modern habitations。 The historic residence required an endless outlay； on that account it had changed owners so many times。
But he and the land understood each other beautifully。 。 。 。 So at the same time that he was filling the salons； he was going to begin farming and stock…raising in the extensive parksa reproduction in miniature of his enterprises in South America。 The property ought to be made self…supporting。 Not that he had any fear of the expenses； but he did not intend to lose money on the proposition。
The acquisition of the castle brought Desnoyers a true friendship the chief advantage in the transaction。 He became acquainted with a neighbor； Senator Lacour； who twice had been Minister of State； and was now vegetating in the senate； silent during its sessions； but restless and voluble in the corridors in order to maintain his influence。 He was a prominent figure of the republican nobility； an aristocrat of the new regime that had sprung from the agitations of the Revolution； just as the titled nobility had won their spurs in the Crusades。 His great…grandfather had belonged to the Convention。 His father had figured in the Republic of 1848。 He； as the son of an exile who had died in banishment； had when very young marched behind the grandiloquent figure of Gambetta； and always spoke in glowing terms of the Master； in the hope that some of his rays might be reflected on his disciple。 His son Rene； a pupil of the Ecole Centrale regarded his father as 〃a rare old sport；〃 laughing a little at his romantic and humanitarian republicanism。 He； nevertheless； was counting much on that same official protection treasured by four generations of Lacours dedicated to the service of the Republic； to assist him when he became an engineer。
Don Marcelo who used to look uneasily upon any new friendship； fearing a demand for a loan； gave himself up with enthusiasm to intimacy with this 〃grand man。〃 The personage admired riches and recognized； besides； a certain genius in this millionaire from the other side of the sea accustomed to speaking of limitless pastures and immense herds。 Their intercourse was more than the mere friendliness of a country neighborhood； and continued on after their return to Paris。 Finally Rene visited the home on the avenida Victor Hugo as though it were his own。
The only disappointments in Desnoyers' new life came from his children。 Chichi irritated him because of the independence of her tastes。 She did not like antiques； no matter how substantial and magnificent they might be； much preferring the frivolities of the latest fashion。 She accepted all her father's gifts with great indifference。 Before an exquisite blonde piece of lace； centuries old； picked up at auction； she made a wry face； saying； 〃I would much rather have had a new dress costing three hundred francs。〃 She and her brother were solidly opposed to everything old。
Now that his daughter was already a woman； he had confided her absolutely to the care of Dona Luisa。 But the former 〃Peoncito〃 was not showing much respect for the advice and commands of the good natured Creole。 She had taken up roller…skating with enthusiasm； regarding it as the most elegant of diversions。 She would go every afternoon to the Ice Palace； Dona Luisa chaperoning her； although to do this she was obliged to give up accompanying her husband to his sales。 Oh； the hours of deadly weariness before that frozen oval ring； watching the white circle of balancing human monkeys gliding by on runners to the sound of an organ！ 。 。 。 Her daughter would pass and repass before her tired eyes； rosy from the exercise； spirals of hair escaped from her hat； streaming out behind； the folds of her skirt swinging above her skateshandsome； athletic and Amazonian； with the rude health of a child who； according to her father； 〃had been weaned on beefsteaks。〃
Finally Dona Luisa rebelled against this troublesome vigilance； preferring to accompany her husband on his hunt for underpriced riches。 Chichi went to the skating rink with one of