“Besides, I know how serious her disposition is, and her eminent good sense.  You may rely upon me, when I tell you I have studied her.  A thousand trifles, of no weight in appearance, and unnoticed by herself in all probability, have told me that she abhors very young men.  She has learnt to appreciate the value of young husbands of thirty, who are all fire and flame in the honeymoon, and who, six months later, wearied with pure and tranquil happiness, seek their delights elsewhere.  It is not only of late that I have found out how truly she values what is, after all, most desirable in this world,—­a great name worthily borne by a true man, and a reputation that would shed new radiance upon her.  How often have I heard her say to Mrs. Brian, ’Above all, aunt, I want to be proud of my husband; I want to see everybody’s eye sparkle with admiration and envy as soon as I mention his name, which will have become mine also; I want people to whisper around me, “Ah, how happy she is to be loved by such a man!"’”

He shook his head gravely, and said in a solemn tone,—­

“I examined myself, Daniel, and found that I answered all of Miss Brandon’s expectations; and the result of my meditations was, that I would be a madman to allow such happiness to escape me, and that I was bound to risk every thing.  I made up my mind, therefore, firmly, and went to M. Elgin in order to make him aware of my intentions.  I cannot describe to you the amazement of that worthy gentleman.

“‘You are joking,’ he said at first, ‘and that pains me deeply.’

“But, when he saw that I had never in my life spoken more seriously, he, who is usually so phlegmatic, became perfectly furious.  As if I would have come to him, if, by some impossible accident, I should have been unhappy in my choice!  But I fell from the clouds when he told me outright that he meant to do all he could do to prevent such a match.  Nor would he give up his purpose, say what I could; and I had to use all my skill to make him change his mind.  At last, after more than two hours’ discussion, all that I could obtain from him was the promise that he would remain neutral, and that he would leave to Mrs. Brian the responsibility of refusing or accepting my offer.”

He laughed, this good Count Ville-Handry, he laughed heartily, no doubt recalling his discussion with Sir Thorn, and his triumphant skill.

“So,” he resumed, “I went to Mrs. Brian.  Ah! she did not mince matters.  At the first word, she called me—­God forgive her!—­an old fool, and plainly told me that I must never show myself again in Circus Street.

“I insisted; but in vain.  She would not even listen to me, the old Puritan; and, when I became pressing, she dropped me a solemn curtsey, and left me alone in the room, looking foolish enough, I am sure.

“For the time, I had nothing to do but to go away.  I did so, hoping that her interview with her niece might induce her to change her mind.  Not at all.  The next morning, when I called at the house, the servants said Sir Thorn was out, and Mrs. Brian and Miss Brandon had just left for Fontainebleau.  The day after, the same result; and for a whole week the doors remained closed.