"Well, monsieur, let us come down to business," continued the young woman. "Do you know of any modest house for sale in the outskirts of Paris?"
"There are plenty of them, madame; but first of all, in what part of the suburbs do you wish to live?"
"It makes no difference, monsieur."
"That will simplify matters."
"However, I should not care to live in one of those neighborhoods which have become the rendezvous of equestrians and driving parties; for in those places, if one leaves the house, one must dress as carefully as in Paris. That is not what we want; we want genuine country, where there is no formality, no ostentation, where one meets more peasants than city folk."
"I understand; in that case, madame would not care to purchase at Passy, Auteuil, or Enghien?"
"No, too many people go there."
"And the distance—is that a matter of indifference to you, also?"
"Yes, although I should not want to be too far from Paris; I may have business there occasionally; and then, ladies must keep abreast of the fashions, and if it were a long journey it would be tiresome and expensive."
"Wait, madame; I believe that I have just what you want."