I would not let this hurt me. "Since you have consented to marry me, I have the right to give you what I please--you may need more than you have suggested, and I want everything to be smooth and as you would wish." She trembled all over. "I--I cannot argue now, I must go at once; but I will think over what I must say about it." "If you are going to be my wife, you must know that all that is mine will be yours; so how can a few thousand francs more or less now make any difference, though if you have any feeling concerning it, you can pay me back out of your first month's dress allowance!" and I tried to smile. She started to her feet. "When shall I see you again?" I pleaded. "In two days." "When will you marry me?" "Whenever you arrange." "Must you go now?" "Yes--I must--I am grateful for your generosity, I will fulfill my side of the bargain." "And I mine." I tried to rise, and she handed me my crutch, and then went towards the door, there she turned. "I will come on Friday at ten o'clock as usual, Good-bye," and she bowed and left me. What a remarkable way to become an engaged man!! But only joy filled me at that moment. I wanted to shout and sing--and thank God! Alathea will be mine, and surely it will only be a question of time before I can make her love me, my little girl! I rang for Burton. I must have rung vigorously for he came in hurriedly. "Burton," I said, "Congratulate me, my old friend--Miss Sharp has promised to marry me." For once Burton's imperturbability deserted him, he almost staggered and put his hand to his head. "God bless my soul, Sir Nicholas," he gasped, and then went on, "Beg pardon, Sir, but that is the best piece of news I ever did hear in my life." And his dear old eyes were full of tears while he blew his nose vigorously. "It will be a very quiet wedding, Burton. We shall have it at the Consulate, and I suppose at the church in the _Rue d'Agesseau_, if Miss Sharp is a Protestant--I have never asked her." "The wedding don't so much matter, Sir Nicholas. It is having the young lady always here to look after you." "Without her glasses, Burton!" "As you say Sir, without them horn things." And there was a world of understanding in his faithful eyes. He left the room presently with the walk of a boy, so elated was he, and I was left alone, thrilling in every nerve with triumph. How I long for Friday I cannot possibly say. In the afternoon Maurice and Alwood Chester, and Madame de Clerté came to see me, and all exclaimed at my improved appearance. "Why you look like a million dollars, Nicholas," Alwood said, "What is up, old bird?" "I am getting well, that is all." "We are going to have a party on Sunday to introduce you to the loveliest young girl in Paris," Solonge announced. "The daughter of a friend of mine without a great dot, but that does not matter for you, Nicholas. We think that you should marry and marry a _jeune fille francaise_!"