meeting put an end to all his doubts, and with a flash of inspiration he
decided to speak directly to the young lady's father. What could be
simpler? Having no time to weigh the matter carefully, he was only too
glad to find this happy way out of his perplexity. He bowed, and stopped
before the old gentleman.

"Mr. Mitrophanis, I am delighted to meet you, for I have a few words to
say."

"Mr. Plateas, I believe?" said the other, politely returning the bow.

"The same."

"And what can I do for you, Mr. Plateas?"

The professor began to feel a little embarrassed; but it was too late to
turn back, so he took courage and went on:

"To come to the point at once, Mr. Mitrophanis, I desire to become your
son-in-law!"

This abrupt proposal was a surprise to the old gentleman, and hardly an
agreeable one. The offer itself was not so astonishing, for the beauty
of his younger daughter had often obliged the father to refuse proposals
of this kind; but he had never been addressed quite so brusquely before.
Moreover, of all the suitors who had thus far presented themselves, Mr.
Plateas seemed the least eligible in point of age and other respects.
But it was not this so much that the old gentleman had in mind, as he
said to himself, "What, he too!"