The moment of dead silence that followed this was broken by a short laugh from the Comte.
"Was it worth while to consult a family council?" he said. "I should have thought, my dear Adélaïde, that a word from you might have settled that matter on the spot."
Monsieur Joseph said aside: "Honour! It is an insult!"
Anne opened her eyes wide with horror, and even Urbain was startled, but he prudently said nothing.
"It might—it certainly might—" said Madame de Sainfoy, "if I could have been sure that you would take my view, Hervé."
"I imagine that we could hardly differ on such a point!" he said, shrugging his shoulders.
"What is your opinion, then? Think well before you speak."
"On my honour, no thought is necessary. To speak very mildly, a man of that birth, manners, appearance, is not worth considering at all as a husband for Hélène. Come, it is ridiculous! You cannot have encouraged such an idea, Adélaïde! Was that the subject of all your long conversation? Waste of time, truly!"
"Pardon, it is not ridiculous," said Madame de Sainfoy. "Your prejudices will end by sending Hélène into a convent; this, I believe, is the fourth good proposal that you have laughed at. Yes, a good proposal—listen, Urbain, I know you will agree with me, for every sensible man must. You talk of General Ratoneau's birth! All honour to him, that his talents and courage have raised him above it. As to his manners, they are those of a soldier; frank and rough, of course, but he seems to me both intelligent and sincere. Manners! It is a little late in the day to talk of them, when most of the Marshals of France and the new nobility have none better. Do you fancy yourself back in the eighteenth century, my poor Hervé?"
"Very well—but you would not like Georges to bring such manners home from Spain!"