"But what is it?"
"Well then, papa, dear, here has been a foolish girl—very foolish, I think she must be, going about, intruding even into the Castle, and telling all that will listen to her, that she is betrothed to the Marquis of Arondelle."
"Oh! Just as I feared!" muttered the banker, in a tone that instantly riveted the attention of his daughter.
"What did you fear, my father?" she inquired, fixing her eyes upon his face.
The banker hesitated.
His daughter repeated her question:
"What did you fear, my dear father?"
"Why, just what has happened, my love!" impatiently answered the banker. "That this silly report would reach your ears and give you uneasiness. It has reached you; but do not, I beseech you, let it trouble you!"
"There is no truth in it of course, papa?" said Salome, in a tone of entreaty.
"No, no, at least none that need concern you. Lord bless my soul, girl, young men will be young men! Arondelle is now about twenty-five years of age. And he was not brought up in a convent, as you were. He has lived for a quarter of a century in the world! Surely, you do not expect that a young man should live as long as that without ever admiring a pretty face, and even telling its owner so, do you?"