"A fine quality, Monsieur le Général!" said Urbain, calmly. "It is true, I hardly know you. I had heard of you from my brother, Joseph de la Marinière--" "Your Chouan brother, ha, ha!" "My Royalist brother, suppose we say. Every one has a right to his own private opinions, Monsieur le Général." "A dangerous doctrine, that!" "As long as he keeps them to himself, and does not disturb the public peace. I have acted successfully on that principle for the last thirty years, and it has carried me comfortably through various changes." "What are you, monsieur?" "A philosopher. I take life as it comes. That way happiness lies." The General laughed. "I think differently. My idea is to make life come as I want it." "That is a fine idea, too," Urbain said serenely. "Only it does not always seem to be within the limits of the possible." "Ah, there I agree with the Emperor. He will not have the word 'impossible' in the dictionary." "The Emperor is a great man," said Urbain, with his inscrutable smile. It was certainly on Ratoneau's tongue to answer, "So am I!" but he only laughed again and muttered something about strength of will. The dark, watchful eyes followed his visitor's to the floor, where Monsieur de Sainfoy's letter lay; that letter which seemed to belie his bull-dog boasting. Something he wanted in life had been refused him point-blank; in ceremonious terms, but with uncompromising plainness. The Comte de Sainfoy did not even trouble himself to find reasons for declining the offer of marriage that General Ratoneau had done Mademoiselle de Sainfoy the honour to make. "We met last night at Lancilly, monsieur," said Ratoneau, "but I did not expect the politeness of a visit from you--at any rate so soon. But I understand that you are your cousin's messenger. You brought me that letter--neither did I expect that so soon." He pointed to the fragments on the floor. His manner was insolent, and La Marinière felt it so; even to his seasoned cheek a little warmth found its way. Something of him was on Hervé's side, while he was prepared and resolved to serve Adélaïde in this matter. "My own affairs brought me to Sonnay," he said. "My cousin wished you to receive his letter as soon as might be. I therefore took charge of it." "Do you know what it is about?" To this abrupt question Urbain answered by a bow. The General frowned angrily. "Then what brought you here, monsieur? Do you want to report my disappointment to your aristocratic fool of a cousin? Merci!" and he swore a few hearty oaths. "There are plenty more pretty girls in France, and plenty of their fathers who would gladly be linked with the Empire. Take that message back to your cousin, if you please."