"That," said the count, "is not the conclusion at which I hoped you
would arrive. I think I can offer an alternative. If I ask you to look
at this matter like a man of the world, you will have a right to laugh
at my presumption. I was a man of the world once, but that was long
ago. I have lost so much that what is left to me is hidden in a cloud of
self-distrust; yet I think I am right in this, and you yourself shall be
the judge."

He paused there for some time, and I could tell by his inward look,
and by the occasional motion of his lips, that he was choosing words in
which to make his meaning clear to me. He looked up at last, with his
gray face illuminated by the mere ghost of a smile, and reaching both
hands across the table towards me, leaned upon them firmly.

"My penetration, blunted as it is, has not been altogether at fault,"
he said; "I have hit the truth in your case. That is so?" I nodded,
gloomily enough, I dare say, to signify assent. "What I propose, my dear
Fyffe, is this: I cannot read my daughter's mind at all, and so far as I
can tell she may have no such preference as leads to marriage for either
of you. She is half English by birth, and wholly English by education.
If she would marry at all she will follow her own inclination, after the
fashion of young ladies in this country. Even if I had had the authority
which a life-long watch over her would have given me, I should never
have dreamed of using it. But this is the plain English of the matter. I
would gladly trust my child with you, and I should be sorry to trust
her with Mr. Brunow. That sounds ungrateful to him, for I owe him an
enormous service; but there are duties which transcend gratitude, and
this is one of them. I have surprised your sentiments, and have extorted
a confession from you. I ask you now to authorize me to lay before my
daughter your case and Mr. Brunow's side by side. I will tell her, if
you prefer it, precisely what passed between us. If she should accept
neither of you, my own hope and yours will have had at least a chance of
fulfilment. You have no objection to making that proposal?"

I answered truly that I was profoundly grateful for it, and that I had
never had so much honor done me.

The count departed well pleased, and I was left to await his news in
such anxiety as any man who has not awaited a similar verdict might
picture for himself. I did not stir from my rooms for several days, and
at almost every minute o