"He does not hurry himself, and truly I believe the little one would not be averse to me."
"Better depend upon Monsieur Leonarr."
And as a result of his mama's advice the lieutenant did, on that afternoon, broach the matter to Leonard, who, at first mystified, ended by roaring with laughter when he grasped the fact that the head of the House of de Fleury was making a provisional proposal for the hand and fortune of either Mademoiselle Tabitha, or Mademoiselle Achsah, as Leonard might advise.
"Diable!" exclaimed the gallant youth, when Leonard had explained the cause of his hilarity, "over seventy and rich! What a country where such opportunities are neglected! Decidedly I must make the voyage."
Leonard made no reply; the suggested picture of the noble Marquis as his guest in Hampton was not precisely alluring.
"And so there is not a single demoiselle among the Claghorns that desires a title?"
"Not one."
"Alas!" sighed the Marquis. "I was too magnanimous. You know la belle Paula, of course. Listen, mon ami, but let your lips be sealed. Elle etait folle de moi!"
"Paula! Crazy for you! You flatter——"
"Parole d'honneur. It was in her eyes, in the plaintive cadence of her tones——"