Chapter XXVIII.
She was scarcely out of the room, when Rudolf, who had drained the bottle, began in his usual tone of banter—
“I don’t know whether I ought to congratulate you, Mr. Leopold, but I am firmly convinced our charming Major has found her colonel.”
I only shrugged my shoulders; for I felt a repugnance to making Francis a subject of conversation with such a fellow.
“Do you imagine I have no eyes? I know the women, I can assure you. I have come across all sorts, and all sizes and colours, in my vagabond life; and my niece, though she were a thousand times Major Frank, is still a woman—a woman with a man’s heart, as good Queen Bess used to say of herself. I don’t know what you intend to do, but it appears to me you have only to propose—
‘Et bientôt on verra l’infante
Au bras de son heureux vainqueur.’
She is smitten by you, that’s certain! Why, she’s like a thoroughbred horse. With much patience, much attention, and a firm hand that knows when to be gentle, so one succeeds. As for myself, I was always too rash, too impatient. These gracious devils soon perceive it, and once they know it, you are thrown—there’s no help for you. After all, perhaps I am mistaken,” he said, seeing I remained silent; “otherwise I would add that I hope you are rich. Her grandfather is ruined——”
“And by whom?” I interposed; a little hard upon him, I confess, but his volubility had become insupportable.