"Is she rich?" "Very rich." "It's on account of papa that I asked you that, because I would marry her without a dowry. It's the first time I've ever said such a thing on meeting a young girl. And now the name." "Mlle. Martha Derame." "Derame, did you say?" "Yes." "Isn't the father a wealthy merchant who has business in Japan and China?" "The same." "Ah, my dear fellow--no; one only sees such things in the comic plays of the minor theatres, at Cluny or Dejazet." "What's the matter with 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.