"Pray forgive me if I have hurt you through your friend, but I can't
imagine Mr. Plateas in love." And she began to laugh again; then seeing
the judge's expression, she asked, "What put this marriage into your
head?"

"No," he began, without answering her question, "please to tell me what
you find so reprehensible in him."

"Reprehensible!" she repeated, imitating her cousin's tone. "I don't
find him reprehensible, simply ridiculous."

"I admit that his person is not awe-inspiring."

"Awe-inspiring! What long words you use! You'll be giving me one of your
friend's quotations from Homer next."

"Listen," he said, changing his manner. "At first I looked at it just as
you do; but the more I thought it over, the more clearly I saw that I
was wrong. Mr. Plateas has all the qualities that go to make a good
husband. He will be ridiculous as a lover, I must admit. He will look
absurd on his wedding day, with the wreath of flowers on his head
[Footnote: The Greek bride and bridegroom both wear a wreath of
flowers.]---"

At this his cousin broke into a fresh peal of laughter, in which the
judge was forced to join in spite of himself. Their sudden gayety having
subsided, the conversation became more serious. Mr. Liakos related all
the details of the affair, and as his story went on he was delighted to
see his cousin's prejudices gradually disappear, although she still made
objections when they came to dissect the suitor's character.