Lord Ethalwood bowed courteously.
“You surprise me, madame,” said he. “One of the parties has a wish to withdraw—eh?”
“It is more than a wish—it is a positive refusal. Theresa will not consent under any circumstances to give her hand to Monsieur Chanet.”
“How very remarkable!”
“Not at all so, monsieur. There is nothing at all remarkable or surprising in the matter. Theresa is inflexible.”
“But what is her reason?”
Madame shrugged her shoulders.
“Ah, sir,” she remarked, “you would be a clever man if you could account for the caprices and fancies of a young maiden. Theresa will not give me any reason. All she says is, that she will not become the wife of Gerome, and he, poor fellow! probably doats upon her.”
“Then he is very much to be pitied.”
“He is. You are just right—he is greatly to be pitied, but of what avail is pity or commiseration to a despairing lover?”