“But there is Mathilde.”
“What of her?”
“Her uncle and aunt wish to see her married to Pierre.”
Alaine’s eyes danced and she laughed. “And you, Gerard, you would be delighted if it were arranged, I am sure.”
He laughed too. “I see, then, there is nothing to be done at once. What is it that Pierre purposes doing? What is this plan of which you speak?”
Alaine shook her head. “Say nothing of it, Gerard. Leave it for a time. I fear it may be that my father no longer lives, yet I heard of him in Guadaloupa.”
“And you love this sober Pierre?”
“I think he is very good, and if my father should say, Alaine, marry him, I should obey. It is he I should consider first, is it not, Gerard?”
“Of course. And if he does not say this?”
“I do not know what.”