“Thanks!  I think it will hardly be necessary.  I do not know that Helen likes him particularly.”

“Nobody admires that little paragon more than I—­I should be frantically in love with her if I were a man—­but she had better think twice before rejecting such a parti as Rene Vergniaud, especially if she has no dowry.  You will surely not permit her to do so without communicating with her father?  He will understand her interests better.”

“In this case I shall let her do just as she pleases, as her father would if he were here.”

Madame Le Fort’s look of amazed incredulity was truly comical.  What ought I to do?  I queried.  On the whole, I decided to do the easiest thing—­wait.

The next day I was honored with a call from M. Vergniaud.  He believed that Madame Le Fort had spoken to me of his profound attachment to the lovely Miss St. Clair—­the most passionate, the most devoted.  Might he hope for my influence with her father and mother?  The matter of dowry was indifferent to him:  his income was sufficiently large, and, alas! he had no parents to consult.  Would I favor him with Mr. St. Clair’s address and a few words of introduction to him?  He should be under everlasting obligations to me, and if there was anything he could do to show his gratitude, his appreciation—­

I interrupted these protestations:  “I doubt if Mr. St. Clair would consent to any marriage which would separate him from his daughter, however advantageous it might be in other respects.”

“My dear madame, who asks it?  I have no business or profession:  we could easily spend a part of every year in America if it were desirable.”

“That would certainly make it easier, but it will be better to defer writing till we have some intimation of Miss St. Clair’s sentiments.  Her father will be guided chiefly by her inclination.”

“It is a nice country for young girls, America,” said he with a smile.  “I shall do all that is possible to win Miss St. Clair’s favor, for life would be worthless without her.”  And he bowed himself gracefully out.

Is it possible that Helen will be indifferent to this young Antinous? thought I. Poor Mr. Denham would have small chance with me if I were in her place.

An hour later the concierge sent up to me an exquisite bouquet of violets and white camellias, with the card of Rene Vergniaud and a folded note:  “If Madame Fleming does not think it improper, will she be so kind as to give these flowers to my beautiful queen?”

M. Vergniaud had asked Madame Le Fort’s permission to call on Miss St. Clair.  “Certainly not,” she replied.  “I am astounded at such presumption!  But you may call to see me.  To-morrow evening we go to the opera, and Wednesday to Madame Perier’s, and Thursday is my reception, and Friday we have tickets to Phedre at the Francais.  Saturday, then:  it is the first evening we have free.”