declaring that he would never again mix himself up in such a matter

with an uneducated man. It was necessary to pay, for the count

would never have allowed his signature to be protested. Then in

addition to Nana's novel demands, his home expenses were

extraordinarily confused. On their return from Les Fondettes the

countess had suddenly manifested a taste for luxury, a longing for

worldly pleasures, which was devouring their fortune. Her ruinous

caprices began to be talked about. Their whole household management