"To what am I to attribute the honour of your visit?" asked Gerald, dryly, without sitting down himself or requesting his visitor to be seated.
The baron, apparently entirely indifferent to this cool reception, replied:
"M. le duc, I came to call your attention to a very promising business matter."
"I am not in business."
"Would you like to marry, M. le duc?"
"Monsieur," said Gerald, haughtily, "this question—"
"Excuse me, M. le duc, I called here in your interest, and necessarily, also, in my own. Will you consequently have the kindness to listen to me? What do you risk by doing so? I ask only ten minutes."
"I am listening, monsieur," replied Gerald, whose curiosity had been aroused by the baron's question.
"I ask once more, then, M. le duc: 'Would you like to marry?' I must have a reply before continuing the conversation."
"But monsieur, I—"