"This is all very fine; but what is the name of the château? I care a great deal about the name."
"The estate is known as La Roche-Noire."
"La Roche-Noire! superb! And when it is mine, can I assume that name?"
"There is nothing to prevent."
"Monsieur de la Roche-Noire! Jules de la Roche-Noire!—Magnificent!—It is settled, monsieur le notaire; I will buy the château."
"You might go to see the place before coming to a decision, and——"
"No! no! It would surely be sold to someone else meanwhile, and the name of La Roche-Noire would escape me! It is decided, it’s a bargain, I will buy the château.—When can I have my papers? When will you have the deed ready? I am in a great hurry to take possession of my château!"
"I must write to my brother notary at Saint-Amand; and then the deeds—oh! it will be a matter of a week at most."
"A week! dear me! that’s a long while!—But no matter; do whatever is necessary, so that no one can dispute my title. By the way, if you are writing to Auvergne, I should be glad to have the people at my château know that I shall be there soon, and to have them prepare a little reception for me. There are servants at La Roche-Noire, no doubt?"
"A concierge and a gardener at most."