“There is every chance that he would not answer.”
“Reply paid?”
“Mademoiselle, you are laughing; you are no counsellor any longer.”
“Yes, I am. Let us be serious. Suppose you go to see him.”
“That’s a better idea. He may perhaps receive me.”
“In that case you will capture him. If you can only get a man to listen—”
“Not my uncle, Mademoiselle. He will listen, and do you know what his answer will be?”
“What?”
“This, or something like it: ‘My worthy nephew, you have come to tell me two things, have you not? First, that you are about to marry a Parisienne; secondly, that you renounce forever the family practice. You merely confirm and aggravate our difference. You have taken a step further backward. It was not worth while your coming out of your way to tell me this, and you may return as soon as you please.’”
“You surprise me. There must be some way of getting at him, if he is really good-hearted, as you say. If I could see your uncle I should soon find out a way.”