"And I presume that I may congratulate them on your answer?"
"No, you may not!" I replied, with satisfaction. "This gentleman"--and I pointed to the Capitaine Hugues--"has laid before me certain proposals and certain arguments in favour of them."
"But he has not laid before you the most potent of all arguments," the Captain said, interposing, with a dry bow. "I find it, and you, M. le Vicomte, will find it, too, in M. le Marquis de St. Alais!"
The Marquis stared at him coldly. "I am obliged to you," he said contemptuously. "By-and-by, perhaps, I shall have more to say to you. For the present, however, I am speaking to M. le Vicomte." And he turned and addressed me again. "These gentlemen have waited on you. Do I understand that you have declined their proposals?"
"Absolutely!" I answered. "But," I continued warmly, "it does not follow that I am without gratitude or natural feeling."
"Ah!" he said. Then, turning, with an easy air, "I see your servant there," he said. "May I summon him one moment?"
"Certainly."
He raised his hand, and André, who was watching us from the doorway, flew to take his orders.
He turned to me again. "Have I your permission?"
I bowed, wondering.