"It is perfectly natural that you should speak in this way, commander, and you, too, Olivier; and among all the persons I know you are the only ones. Yes, for if I had said to a thousand other people, 'It is proposed that I should marry the richest heiress in France,' each and every one of them would have replied without a thought about anything else: 'Yes, marry her by all means. It is a splendid match; marry her, by all means!'" Then, after another pause, Gerald added: "Of course it is only right, but how rare, oh, how rare!" "Upon my word, I had no idea that I was saying anything remarkable, M. Gerald. Olivier thinks exactly as I do, don't you, my boy?" "Yes, uncle. But what is the matter with you, Gerald? Why do you seem so serious all of a sudden?" "I will tell you," said the young duke, whose features did, indeed, wear an unusually thoughtful expression. "I came here this morning to inform you of my matrimonial intentions,--you, commander, and you, Olivier, for I regard you both as sincere and devoted friends." "You certainly have no truer ones, M. Gerald," said the veteran, earnestly. "I am certain of that, commander, and this knowledge made me doubly anxious to confide my projects to you." "That is very natural," replied Olivier, "for you know so well that whatever interests you interests us." "The real state of the case is this," said Gerald, replying to his friend's words by a friendly gesture. "Yesterday, my mother, dazzled by Mlle. de Beaumesnil's wealth, proposed to me that I should marry that young lady. My mother considered my success certain, if I would consent to follow her counsels. But remembering the pleasures of my bachelor life and of independence, I at first refused." "But if you have no liking for married life, the millions upon millions should not induce you to change this determination," remarked the old naval officer, kindly. "But wait, commander," said Gerald, with some little embarrassment. "My refusal irritated my mother. She told me I was blind, and that I had no sense; but finally her anger gave place to such profound chagrin that, seeing her inconsolable at my refusal, I--" "You consented to the marriage?" asked Olivier. "Yes," replied Gerald. Then noticing a slight movement of astonishment on the part of the old sailor, Gerald added: "Commander, my decision seems to surprise you." "Yes, M. Gerald." "But why? Tell me frankly." "Well, M. Gerald, if you consent to marry contrary to your inclination, and that merely to please your mother, I fear you are making a great mistake," answered the veteran, in firm, but affectionate tones, "for sooner or later your wife will suffer for the compulsion you exert upon yourself to-day, and one ought not to marry to make a woman unhappy. Don't you agree with me, Olivier?" "Perfectly." "But how could I bear to see my mother weep, my mother who seems to have set her heart upon this marriage?"