h you?"

"What's the matter with me? She's papa's Number Three--yes, Number
Three. The father of that little marvel is one of papa's piquet players
at the club. And I wouldn't see Number Three, and she falls into my arms
on the platform between Paris and Lyons. You will present me after
lunch, and I shall speak to the mother and tell her all."

"How, all?"

"Yes, all; that her daughter is papa's Number Three, and that I didn't
want Number One or Two, but that I should like Number Three. Ah, dear
boy, how pretty she is--especially her nose, so charmingly turned up.
She has just looked at me, and in a certain way; I am sure I don't
displease her. Did you mention me, did you tell my name?"

"No."

"You were wrong. At any rate, right after lunch--Do you know what I
think? That this affair will go through on wheels. I shall first
telegraph papa, and then to-morrow--Oh, heavens! I hope there's a
telephone between Paris and Marseilles--"

He interrupted himself and called:

"Porter! Porter!"

"Sir."

"Is there a telephone between Paris and Marseilles?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ah! That's all Thanks. The telephone, Maurice, there's the telephone!
Papa can speak for me to-morrow by telephone. It will be charming!
Marriage by express. Express, electric, telephonic, and romantic
marriage, all at the same time. You understand that between a little
phiz like that and a voyage around the world I don't hesitate. But why
haven't you thought of marrying her?"

"Oh, too wealthy--too wealthy a match for me; and then she is not the
kind of little person to go and bury in a garrison town in Algeria. She
is a Parisian, a true Parisian, who wants to amuse herself, and who will
amuse herself."

"Just what I want, absolutely just what I want. I too wish to amuse
myself. She will amuse herself, I shall amuse myself, we will amuse
ourselves."

Young Raoul was in a frenzy, and as soon as he had finished his luncheon
he scrawled a new despatch on the restaurant table to his father, and,
while writing, talked very excitedly.

"I'll send my despatch from Dijon, and I'll address it to the club; papa
will be there about five o'clock, and also the father of this little
marvel. They can immediately discuss the affair. Shall I ask for an
answer at Lyons? The time-table, pass me the time-table. Lyons, 5.25.
No, that would be too short. Answer at Marseilles. They stop at
Marseilles? Yes? For twenty-four hours? All right, so do I. At what
hotel?