ding on your arm in the hotel-garden, which was lit up in her
honour. Formerly she was enchanting, she has become adorable. If you
would have the immense goodness to give her to me, I would be capable of
doing anything agreeable to you. I would relieve you of all your little
troublesome jobs; I would clean your retorts; I would put labels on your
bottles and jars; I would sweep out your laboratory. I know German very
well--I would read all the large German books it might please you to
consult; I would read them, pen in hand; I would make extracts--written
extracts--and such extracts! _Grand Dieu!_ they would be like
copperplate. My dear master, will you give her to me?"

"The absurd creature! He imagines that it only depends upon me to give
him my daughter. I could as easily dispose of the moon. Since she has
had teeth, she had made me desire everything she desires."

"At least you will give me permission to pay my addresses to her
to-morrow?"

"Beware, unlucky youth!" cried M. Moriaz. "You will ruin your case
forever. Since you have been away she has refused two offers, one of
them from a second secretary of legation, Viscount de R---, and at the
present moment she holds in holy horror all suitors. She is accompanying
me to Saint Moritz in order to gather flowers and paint aquarelle
sketches of them. Should you presume to interrupt her in her favourite
occupations, should you present yourself before her like a creditor on
the day of maturity, I swear to you that your note would be protested,
and that you would have nothing better to do than return to Hungary."

"You are sure of it?"

"As sure as that sulphuric acid will turn litmus red."

"And you have the heart to sent me back to Paris without having spoken
with her?"

"What I have said is for your good, and you know whether I mean you well
or not."

"It is agreed, then, that you will take charge of my interests; that you
will plead my cause?"

"It is understood that I will sound the premises, that I will prepare
the way--"

"And that you will send me tidings shortly, and that these tidings will
be good. I shall await them here, at the Hotel Steinbock."

"As you please; but, for the love of Heaven, let me sleep!"

M. Camille Langis pressed his two arms and said, with much emotion: "I
place myself in your hands; take care how you answer for my life!"

"O youth!" murmured M. Moriaz, actually thrusting Camille from the room.
"One might search in vain for