“That depends on yourself, I fancy, if you know how to talk and argue.  So far my daughter has understood very clearly that the best part of her life would be the part that she passed in letting men court her, and she doesn’t feel in any hurry to become one man’s servant when she can give orders to several.  And so, as long as the game pleases her, she can divert herself with it; but if you please her more than the game, the game may be stopped.  All you have to do is not to be discouraged.  Come every Sunday, ask her to dance, give her to understand that you’re on the list, and if she finds you more likeable and better informed than the others, I don’t doubt that she’ll tell you so some fine day.”

“Excuse me, Pere Leonard, your daughter is entitled to act as she pleases, and I have no right to blame her.  I would act differently if I were in her place; I’d be more honest, and I wouldn’t let men throw away their time who probably have something better to do than hang around a woman who laughs at them.  But, after all, if that entertains her and makes her happy, it’s none of my business.  But I must tell you one thing that is a little embarrassing for me to confess since this morning, seeing that you began by making a mistake as to my intentions and didn’t give me any time to reply; so that you believe something that isn’t so.  Pray understand that I didn’t come here to ask for your daughter’s hand, but to buy a pair of oxen that you intend to take to the fair next week and that my father-in-law thinks will suit him.”

“I understand, Germain,” said Leonard calmly; “you changed your mind when you saw my daughter with her lovers.  That’s as you please.  It seems that what attracts one repels another, and you have the right to withdraw as long as you haven’t spoken yet.  If you really want to buy my oxen, come and look at them in the pasture; we’ll talk it over, and whether we strike a bargain or not, you’ll come and take dinner with us before you go back.”

“I don’t want you to put yourself out,” replied Germain, “perhaps you have business here; I’m a little tired of watching them dance and of doing nothing.  I’ll go to look at your cattle, and join you later at your house.”

Thereupon, Germain slipped away and walked toward the meadows, where Leonard had pointed out some of his beasts in the distance.  It was true that Pere Maurice wanted to buy, and Germain thought that if he should take back a good yoke at a moderate price, he would be pardoned more readily for having voluntarily failed to accomplish the real object of his journey.

He walked fast, and was soon within a short distance of Ormeaux.  Thereupon he felt that he must go and kiss his son and see little Marie once more, although he had lost the hope and banished from his mind the thought of owing his happiness to her.  All that he had seen and heard—­the vain, giddy woman; the father, at once cunning and shallow, who encouraged his daughter in her pride and disingenuous habits;