It cost M. de Courtornieu quite an effort to conceal his delight; but he
feared if she discovered his satisfaction that the game would be lost.

He presented several objections; they were quickly disposed of; and, at
last, he ventured to say:

"Then the marriage is half decided; one of the parties consents. It only
remains to ascertain if----"

"The other will consent," declared the vain heiress.

And, in fact, for several days Mlle. Blanche had been applying herself
assiduously and quite successfully to the work of fascination which was
to bring Martial to her feet.

After having made an advance, with studied frankness and simplicity,
sure of the effect she had produced, she now proceeded to beat a
retreat--a manoeuvre so simple that it was almost sure to succeed.

Until now she had been gay, _spirituette_, and coquettish; gradually,
she became quiet and reserved. The giddy school-girl had given place to
the shrinking virgin.

With what perfection she played her part in the divine comedy of first
love! Martial could not fail to be fascinated by the modest artlessness
and chaste fears of the heart which seemed to be waking for him. When he
appeared, Mlle. Blanche blushed and was silent. At a word from him
she became confused. He could only occasionally catch a glimpse of her
beautiful eyes through the shelter of their long lashes.