“Madame, having, for your sake, passed—as I did—the proper limits of legal craft, do you seriously intend to reward my devotion by such language?”
“But, monsieur—”
“Madame, I did not, it is true, calculate the effect of the deeds of gift. But if you do not wish Comte Paul for your son-in-law you are not obliged to accept him. The contract is not signed. Give your fete, and postpone the signing. It is far better to brave Bordeaux than sacrifice yourself.”
“How can I justify such a course to society, which is already prejudiced against us by the slow conclusion of the marriage?”
“By some error committed in Paris; some missing document not sent with the rest,” replied Solonet.
“But those purchases of land near Lanstrac?”
“Monsieur de Manerville will be at no loss to find another bride and another dowry.”
“Yes, he’ll lose nothing; but we lose all, all!”
“You?” replied Solonet; “why, you can easily find another count who will cost you less money, if a title is the chief object of this marriage.”
“No, no! we can’t stake our honor in that way. I am caught in a trap, monsieur. All Bordeaux will ring with this to-morrow. Our solemn words are pledged—”