f that very reason," interrupted M.
Moriaz, in his turn. "Come, I entreat you, let me explain the anxieties
arising from my miserable good sense. M. Larinski has related his
history to us. Frankly, do you not think that it is rather that--what
shall I say--of an adventurer? The word shocks you--I take it back--but
you must admit that this Pole belongs to the--ambulatory family."

"Or family of heroes," she replied.

"That is it, of wandering heroes. I wish all manner of good to heroes,
although I never have clearly discovered their use. At all events, I
am not sure that they are the best qualified men in the world to make a
wife happy, and I intend that my daughter shall be happy."

"You are not convinced as I am that M. Larinski has a superior mind, and
a heart of gold?"

"A heart of gold! I should be glad to believe it. I have no reason to
doubt it; but many very skilful persons are deceived by false jewellery.
Ah! my dear, if you were better versed in chemistry, you would know
how easy it is to manufacture a false trinket. Formerly, after having
cleaned the piece to be gilded, a gold amalgam was applied. Now, the
brass or copper trinket is steeped in a solution of perchloride of
gold and bicarbonate of potash, and in less than a minute the thing
is accomplished. It is called gilding by immersion. There is another
process in which galvanism--But let us admit that M. Larinski's heart is
real gold. In the purest gold there is usually some alloy, to dispense
with which resort must be had to the cupel. Do you not know what a cupel
is? It is a small capsule or cup of a porous substance, used in the
refining process, and possessing the property of absorbing the fused
oxides and retaining the refined metal. What is the proportion of lead
or of gold ore in M. Larinski's heart? Neither you nor I know."

She was no longer listening; her chin in her hand, her glances wandered
over the glade. He touched her arm gently to rouse her, and said: "It is
all over? You love him?"

"Why will you make me say so?" she replied, blushing.

"And he has declared himself? He has dared----"

"He has dared nothing. Ah! how little you know him! If you were to offer
me to him, his pride would say no, and I would have to go down on my
knees to get the better of his refusal."

"We will say, at once, that he is unique, that he is a marvel, that
there is not a second Pole like him; the mould has been broken. And yet
are you sure that he loves