"There is a band plays twice a week in the Place de Gouvernement—plays admirably. Now, I suppose that there would be nothing odd; that no one could say anything; that it would not be the least improper, considering our connection and everything, if you were to take me to hear it some day?"
"I never have the slightest idea of what is improper and what is not," replies he; but there is more of alarm than of encouragement in his tone.
"No more have I"—laughing rather awkwardly—"but in this case I am pretty sure. Tuesdays and Fridays are the days on which the band plays."
"Oh!"
"To-day is Tuesday, is not it?"
"Yes."
Another pause.
"I thought that perhaps, if you had nothing better to do, you might take me to-day?"
The direct proposal which he has in vain tried to avert has come. If he accept it, of what profit to him will the absence of the Le Marchant parents be? He does not formulate this fact to himself, not having, indeed, owned to his own heart that he has any set design upon Elizabeth's company for the afternoon.
"I am afraid——" he begins slowly.