"I have come this morning, monsieur, to place my position before you and to tell you of a serious step in life which I have decided to take."
"Yes?" replied the Vicomte, tenderly tapping with the little steel instrument on a front tooth, as though he were questioning it as to its health.
"You told me once that I was getting myself into a difficult position. Well, as a matter of fact——"
"You have?"
"Yes, monsieur."
Then I told him everything.
When I had finished, the old gentleman put away the tooth instrument, folded his dressing-gown more closely round him, and examined contemplatively his hands, of which he was very proud.
"The only thing that would have surprised me," said he at last, "would have been if all this had not occurred. Well, now, let us make the best of it. We will assure her future, and she will forget."
"Monsieur, I am this morning about to offer Mademoiselle Feliciani my hand in marriage."