At these words all the guests applauded, M. de Ximenes expressed his admiration of the way the question had been solved, adding,—
“Naturally, if the son of the woman married, his children would be seven-eighths men and one-eighth gods.”
“Yes,” said I, “unless he married a goddess, which would have made the proportion different.”
“Tell me exactly,” said Hedvig, “what proportion of divinity there would be in a child of the sixteenth generation.”
“Give me a pencil and I will soon tell you,” said M. de Ximenes.
“There is no need to calculate it,” said I; “the child would have some small share of the wit which you enjoy.”
Everybody applauded this gallant speech, which did not by any means offend the lady to whom it was addressed.
This pretty blonde was chiefly desirable for the charms of her intellect. We rose from the table and made a circle round her, but she told us with much grace not to pay her any more compliments.
I took Helen aside, and told her to get her cousin to choose a ring from my casket, which I gave her, and she seemed glad to execute the commission. A quarter of an hour afterwards Hedvig came to shew me her hand adorned with the ring she had chosen. I kissed it rapturously, and she must have guessed from the warmth of my kisses with what feelings she had inspired me.
In the evening Helen told the syndic and the three girls all about the morning’s discussion without leaving out the smallest detail. She told the story with ease and grace, and I had no occasion to prompt her. We begged her to stay to supper, but she whispered something to the three friends, and they agreed that it was impossible; but she said that she might spend a couple of days with them in their country house on the lake, if they would ask her mother.