of his words. "She's ruined--lost--the misfortune
is complete!" Then, suddenly pausing with folded arms in front of
Mademoiselle Marguerite: "What are you going to do?" he asked.

"God will not forsake me, General," she replied.

He turned on his heel and resumed his promenade, wildly gesticulating
and indulging in a furious monologue which was certainly not very easy
to follow. "Frightful! terrible!" he growled. "The daughter of an old
comrade--zounds!--of a friend of thirty years' standing--to be left in
such a plight! Never, a thousand thunderclaps!--never! Poor child!--a
heart of gold, and as pretty as an angel! This horrible Paris would
devour her at a single mouthful! It would be a crime--an abomination! It
sha'n't be!--the old veterans are here, firm as rocks!"

Thereupon, approaching the poor girl again, he exclaimed in a coarse but
seemingly feeling voice: "Mademoiselle Marguerite."

"General?"

"You are acquainted with my son, Gustave Fondege, are you not?"

"I think I have heard you speak of him to M. de Chalusse several times."

The General tugged furiously at his mustaches as was his wont whenever
he was perplexed or embarrassed. "My son," he resumed, "is twenty-seven.
He's now a lieutenant of hussars, and will soon be promoted to the rank
of captain. He's a handsome fellow, sure to make his way in the world,
for he's not wanting in spirit. As I never attempt to hide the truth, I
must confess that he's a trifle dissipated; but his heart is all right,
and a charming little wife would soon turn him from the error of his
ways, and he'd become the pearl of husbands." He paused, passed his
forefinger three or four times between his collar and his neck, and
then, in a half-strangled voice, he added: "Mademoiselle Marguerite, I
have the honor to ask for your hand in marriage on behalf of Lieutenant
Gustave de Fondege, my son."

There was a dangerous gleam of anger in Mademoiselle Marguerite's eyes,
as she coldly replied: "I am honored by your request, monsieur; but my
future is already decided."

Some seconds elapsed before M. de Fondege could recover his powers of
speech. "This is a piece of foolishness," he faltered, at last with
singular agitation. "Let me hope that you will reconsider the matter.
And if Gustave doesn't please you, we will find some one better. But
under no circumstances will Chalusse's old comrade ever desert you. I
shall send Madame de Fondege to see you this evening. She's a good wo