"I hope I shall never fail in that."

"Less than ever when you learn that I am very closely concerned in
the visit of M. de La Tour d'Azyr. I am the object of this visit."
And she looked at him with sparkling eyes and lips parted in
laughter.

"The rest, you would seem to imply, is obvious. But I am a dolt,
if you please; for it is not obvious to me."

"Why, stupid, he comes to ask my hand in marriage."

"Good God!" said Andre-Louis, and stared at her, chapfallen.

She drew back from him a little with a frown and an upward tilt of
her chin. "It surprises you?"

"It disgusts me," said he, bluntly. "In fact, I don't believe it.
You are amusing yourself with me."

For a moment she put aside her visible annoyance to remove his
doubts. "I am quite serious, monsieur. There came a formal letter
to my uncle this morning from M. de La Tour d'Azyr, announcing the
visit and its object. I will not say that it did not surprise us
a little...

"Oh, I see," cried Andre-Louis, in relief. "I understand. For a
moment I had almost feared... " He broke off, looked at her, and
shrugged.