Very interesting, you see, one’s conversations here!

[Sidenote:  A Marriage Arranged]

All this time the Baronne and Godmamma were nodding their heads, and when Jean and Heloise joined them, they looked like those sets of mandarins that used to be on Uncle Charles’s mantelpiece, and as we said Good-bye, the Baronne said to Godmamma, “Bien, chere madame, c’est entendu alors c’est pour demain.”

All the way home in the carriage, Victorine simpered.  I felt I could have slapped her.

In the evening there was an air of mystery about them all, and, quite unlike her usual custom, Heloise came into my room to chat when I was going to bed.  Of course Agnes stayed as long as she could, but no sooner had we got rid of her, than Heloise told me what it was all about.  It appears the Baronne has a nephew, who has made a heap of debts; he is a Marquis, and he wants to “redorer le blason.”  It is necessary for him to secure a large dot, but he is “si terriblement volage,” that the extreme plainness of Victorine may put him off.  The Baronne has been arranging it, and he is to be brought with his parent to breakfast, to sample her!

They have not seen one another yet, and it has been difficult to get him to face the situation seriously.  Victorine has been dragging on so, that the family will be delighted to let her go, even to a less fortune than she has.  “Ils devraient etre joliment contents, un gros paquet comme ca!” as Hippolyte, who knows every one’s business, said to the Baronne’s maid—­Heloise told me—­and that explains it; she said it would be such a mercy if he will settle the affair at once.  She had come to ask me a favour.  I did wonder what it was!  And you will laugh, Mamma, when you hear!  Victorine is sure to be nervous, Heloise said, and in that case her face gets red, and it would be a pity to distract his attention in any way, and in short would I mind putting on my most unbecoming dress, and not speaking while the Marquis is here?

[Sidenote:  The Fiance Appears]

So here I am, Mamma, writing to you up in my room, dressed in that horrid beige linen that we chose at night, and I shan’t go down till dejeuner is ready, pouf!  I can hear a carriage coming, I must go to the window.  Yes, it is the fiance, accompanied by his mother and aunt.  He is nice-looking, except that he has got a silly fair beard.  I can hear them arriving in the hall; such a lot of talking!

Heloise and Victorine have just been here.  Heloise even has got an ugly dress on, and Victorine has scrubbed her face with soap—­I suppose to get that greasy look off—­until it shines like an apple, her nose is crimson, and her eyes look like two beads.  They have gone downstairs.  More talking—­I am sure he is putting his heels together.  I’ll finish this after they have gone, so as to tell you what happens.