"'Monsieur,' I continued, 'I see that you don't dare to tell me what it is that makes you sigh so when you are with me. But when a person doesn't explain himself, he doesn't make any headway. As I am less timid than you--as I like to know what to expect--I am going to help you to speak out, for I believe that I have guessed the secret of your heart. You--you--are in love with me, aren't you, Monsieur Gabriel?' "My bashful suitor began anew to examine the two ends of his cane, which annoyed me beyond words. At last, he stammered: "'I--I don't know, mademoiselle.' "'What, monsieur, you don't know? Then you must try to find out. Don't you think me pretty?' "'Oh, yes, mademoiselle!' "'Don't you feel great pleasure in being with me?' "'Yes, mademoiselle.' "'Then, monsieur, of course you are in love with me.' "'_Dame!_ it is very possible.' "And he kept on playing with his stick. Unable to contain myself, I snatched it out of his hands and threw it on the floor. "'It seems to me, monsieur,' I cried, 'that, while I am speaking to you, you might stop playing with your cane; it looks as if you weren't listening to me, and that's very impolite!' "The poor boy was thunderstruck by my action. He glanced at his cane out of the corner of his eye, and murmured: "'I wont do it any more, mademoiselle.' "Somewhat mollified by his submissive air, I continued: "'Well, Monsieur Gabriel, as you are in love with me, of course you want to marry me; for my parents say that people ought not to love unless they're going to be married. I don't know how true that is. Would you like to marry me, Monsieur Gabriel?' "'Why, certainly, mademoiselle, if you think it's possible.' "'Why shouldn't it be, monsieur? Isn't it true that young men are brought into the world to marry young women?' "'I don't know, mademoiselle.' "'What's that? you don't know? For heaven's sake, what did they teach you at your school, monsieur?' "'Latin, Greek, mathematics, geography, mademoiselle.' "'And nothing at all about young ladies and love and marriage?' "'Nothing at all!' "'Much good it does to send boys to school! it's a funny kind of education they get! However, Monsieur Gabriel, you're in love with me, you love me, you want to marry me; and I ask nothing better than to be your wife. Well, monsieur, you must go to my father and ask him for my hand.' "'You want me to go to monsieur your papa?' "'Yes, monsieur, and right away; he's in his study now. Go and prefer your suit.' "'But--mademoiselle--you see--I don't think I'd dare say that to monsieur your papa.' "'My papa! my papa! Great heaven! can't you say my _father_, Monsieur Gabriel? You talk like a little boy of six! This is no time to tremble in your shoes and be afraid; if you don't go and make your request, some other man will be bolder than you; he'll speak out, my father will listen to him, I shall be bound to another, and I shan't be your wife.'