'Ha! methinks I conceive you. Your psychological business is merely a sort of barmecide feast, designed to whet the palate for solid viands to follow. Having brought the transcendental part of your love-making to a happy issue, you now propose to pursue the game upon a practical basis?' Jeff blew a serene cloud and regarded me with a complacent smile. 'Yes, I mean to marry her now,' said he. 'And leave the other without even a bird's-eye view?' 'By-the-by, I must tell you about that. You know I was saying this morning that the Russian commissioner, our friend, had married. Well, he had a daughter, and this daughter and I were by our respective papas destined for each other.' 'I see--a union of policy, like those of the royal families of Europe.' 'To me the idea of utilising the sacred covenant of marriage in the interest of mere business always seemed horrible and revolting. I told my father so.' 'And he, I'll venture to say, told you you were a sentimental young idiot.' 'If that had been all----' said Jeff, wagging his head significantly. 'Well, what was there more?' 'Only this. After I had protested one day, with all the eloquence I could muster, against the cold-blooded inhumanity of binding down two fresh young souls, who had never seen each other, to such a contract, he replied (you remember his dogmatic, high-handed way), "Either you marry her or you live on three hundred pounds per annum."' 'In that case,' said I, not without a secret feeling of relief, 'you certainly won't marry the pagan maid?' 'Why not?' 'Because, to go no further, you won't get her to take you at three hundred pounds per annum. You don't know what living on such an income means. I do; and I can tell you that, even without a wife and children, it's no joke.' 'But, dear Campbell, you seem to forget that I love her.' 'Take the advice of a man who has seen more of the world than you have, and forget it yourself. I am talking seriously now, Jeff, and for your good. You do not love this Countess Almara, and, to be frank with you, it is not possible that she ever should care for you. You have a strong will; use it on the side of common sense and--filial piety. Where were you to meet your intended?' 'Paris was the rendezvous appointed, but----' 'Pack up your traps and be off to Paris this very afternoon.' 'But it wasn't for a week yet that----' 'Never mind. Get away from here; that's the main point. Don't remain within reach of temptation.' 'Campbell, this is not temptation; it's a foregone conclusion. I am going to marry the Countess Almara. Our meeting here was fated. I shall not go to Paris.' 'But I tell you the Countess Almara won't have you.' Jeff was silent awhile. Presently he looked up and said-- 'How do you know she won't?' 'Well--never mind,' I thought it prudent to reply. There was another silence. Suddenly Jeff said, 'Campbell, if I went to Paris would you go with me?'