"I am delighted to hear it; but you must confess that to associate me with them in your attentions would not be giving me the greatest possible proof of your love."
"Yes, I do confess it, and I beg your pardon. But tell me how I should set to work to ask the pastor to dinner."
"There will be no difficulty. Just call on him and ask him to come, and if you wish me to be of the party beg him to ask my mother and myself."
"Why your mother?"
"Because he has been in love with her these twenty years, and loves her still."
"And where shall I give this dinner?"
"Is not M. Tronchin your banker?"
"Yes."
"He has a nice pleasure house on the lake; ask him to lend it you for the day; he will be delighted to do so. But don't tell the syndic or his three friends anything about it; they can hear of it afterwards."
"But do you think your learned cousin will be glad to be in my company?"