nced well, but
with affectation.

"So, you don't ask my daughter?" said Leonard, tapping him on the
shoulder. "You are too easily frightened."

"I have not danced since I lost my wife," answered the husbandman.

"But now that you are looking for another, mourning 's over in heart as
well as in clothes."

"That 's no reason, Father Leonard. Besides, I am too old and I don't
care for dancing."

"Listen," said Father Leonard, drawing him toward a retired corner,
"when you entered my house you were vexed to see the place already
besieged, and I see that you are very proud. But that is not reasonable,
my boy. My daughter is used to a great deal of attention, particularly
since she left off her mourning two years ago, and it is not her place
to lead you on."

"Has your daughter been thinking of marrying for two years already
without making her choice?" asked Germain.

"She does n't wish to hurry, and she is right. Although she has lively
manners, and although you may not think that she reflects a great deal,
she is a woman of excellent common sense, and knows very well what she
is about."

"It does not appear to me so," said Germain ingenuously, "for she has
three suitors in her train, and if she knew her own mind, there are two
of them, at least, whom she would find superfluous and request to stay
at home."

"Why, Germain, you don't understand at all. She does n't wish the old
man, nor the blind man, nor the young man, I am quite certain; yet if
she were to turn them off, people would think that she wished to remain
a widow, and nobody else would come."

"Oh, I see. These three are used for a guide-post."

"As you like. What is the harm if they are satisfied?"

"Every man to his taste," said Germain.

"I see that yours is different. Now supposing that you are chosen, then
they would leave the coast clear."

"Yes, supposing! and meanwhile how much time should I have to whistle?"

"That depends on your persuasive tongue, I suppose. Until now, my
daughter has always thought that she would pass the best part of her
life while she was being courted, and she is in no hurry to become the
servant of one man when she can order so many others about. So she will
please herself as long as the game amuses her; but if you please her
more than the game, the game will cease. Only you must not lose courage.
Come back every Sunday, dance with her, let her know that you are
amongst her followers, and if she finds you more a