The judge smiled, but his poor friend felt a little jealous of this
cousin.

"Why didn't you propose for her hand just as soon as you knew she liked
you?" the professor continued.

"I did, a week ago; I requested my cousin to call on Mr. Mitrophanis,
but--"

"But what? Where could he find a better son-in-law? He didn't refuse
you, surely?"

"No, he did not refuse, but he made a condition that can be fulfilled--
Heaven knows when! In the meanwhile he does not wish us to meet. I had
not seen her for ten days, even at a distance, and you can understand
with what emotion just now I--"

"What is this condition?" asked the professor.

"To wait until the elder sister is married. He won't allow the younger
to marry, or even to be betrothed, before the elder."

"Ah, my friend, that's a pity! I fear you'll have to wait a long, long
time. It won't be so easy to marry off the sister. Still, all things are
possible,--you mustn't despair."

The judge was silent, evidently a prey to melancholy. After a little he
said: