Suzanne

           Moroccohadbeenconquered;France,themistressofTangiers,hadguaranteedthedebtoftheannexedcountry.Itwasrumoredthattwoministers,Laroche-Mathieubeingoneofthem,hadmadetwentymillions.

           AsforWalter,inafewdayshehadbecomeoneofthemastersoftheworld—afinanciermoreomnipotentthanaking.HewasnolongertheJew,Walter,thedirectorofabank,theproprietorofayellownewspaper;hewasM.WalterthewealthyIsraelite,andhewishedtoproveit.

           KnowingthestraitenedcircumstancesofthePrincedeCarlsbourgwhoownedoneofthefairestmansionsonRueduFaubourgSaint-Honore,heproposedtobuyit.Heofferedthreemillionfrancsforit.Theprince,temptedbythesum,acceptedhisoffer;thenextday,Waltertookpossessionofhisnewdwelling.Thenanotherideaoccurredtohim—anideaofconqueringallParis—anideaalaBonaparte.

           AtthattimeeveryonewasravingoverapaintingbytheHungarian,KarlMarcovitch,exhibitedbyJacquesLenobleandrepresenting"ChristWalkingontheWater."Artcriticsenthusiasticallydeclaredittobethemostmagnificentpaintingoftheage.Walterboughtit,therebycausingentireParistotalkofhim,toenvyhim,tocensureorapprovehisaction.Heissuedanannouncementinthepapersthateveryonewasinvitedtocomeonacertaineveningtoseeit.

           DuRoywasjealousofM.Walter’ssuccess.