ter than yours.
Besides, when I find a son-in-law, he will cause me a thousand troubles.
Of this, I am assured by my lawyer. I shall be compelled, it seems, to
render an account of Claire's patrimony. As if ever I kept accounts!
It is shameful! Ah! if Claire had any sense of filial duty, she would
quietly take the veil in some convent. I would use every effort to pay
the necessary dower; but she has no affection for me."

M. Daburon felt that now was the time to speak. He collected his
courage, as a good horseman pulls his horse together when going to leap
a hedge, and in a voice, which he tried to render firm, he said: "Well!
Madame, I believe I know a party who would suit Mademoiselle Claire,--an
honest man, who loves her, and who will do everything in the world to
make her happy."

"That," said Madame d'Arlange, "is always understood."

"The man of whom I speak," continued the magistrate, "is still young,
and is rich. He will be only too happy to receive Mademoiselle Claire
without a dowry. Not only will he decline an examination of your
accounts of guardianship, but he will beg you to invest your fortune as
you think fit."

"Really! Daburon, my friend, you are by no means a fool!" exclaimed the
old lady.

"If you prefer not to invest your fortune in a life-annuity, your
son-in-law will allow you sufficient to make up what you now find
wanting."

"Ah! really I am stifling," interrupted the marchioness. "What! you know
such a man, and have never yet mentioned him to me! You ought to have
introduced him long ago."

"I did not dare, madame, I was afraid--"

"Quick! tell me who is this admirable son-in-law, this white blackbird?
where does he nestle?"

The magistrate felt a strange fluttering of the heart; he was going
to stake his happiness on a word. At length he stammered, "It is I,
madame!"

His voice, his look, his gesture were beseeching. He was surprised at
his own audacity, frightened at having vanquished his timidity, and was
on the point of falling at the old lady's feet. She, however, laughed
until the tears came into her eyes, then shrugging her shoulders, she
said: "Really, dear Daburon is too ridiculous, he will make me die of
laughing! He is so amusing!" After which she burst out laughing again.
But suddenly she stopped, in the very height of her merriment, and
assumed her most dignified air. "Are you perfectly serious in all you
have told me, M. Daburon?" she asked.

"I have stated the tru