"But, my dear mother, I love independence, and gay suppers and good times, generally,--in short, the life of a bachelor. I still have six years of such joyous existence before me, and I wouldn't sacrifice them for all the money in the world; besides," added Gerald, more seriously, "I really couldn't be mean enough to make a poor girl I had married for her money as miserable as she was ridiculous. Besides, mother, you know very well that I absolutely refused to buy a substitute to go and be killed in my stead, so you can not wonder that I refuse to sell myself for any woman's millions." "But, my son--" "My dear mother, it is just this. Your M. de Macreuse,--and if you really have any regard for him, don't hold him up to me again as a model, or I shall break all the canes I possess over his back,--your M. de Macreuse, who is so devout, would probably not have the same scruples that I, a mere pagan, have. But such as I am, such I shall remain, and love you even more than ever, my dear mother," added Gerald, kissing the hand of the duchess respectfully. There are strange coincidences in this life of ours. Gerald had scarcely uttered M. de Macreuse's name before a servant rapped at the door, and, on being told to enter, announced that M. de Macreuse wished to see the duchess in regard to a very important matter. "Did you tell him that I was at home?" asked Madame de Senneterre. "Madame la duchesse gave no order to the contrary." "Very well,--ask M. de Macreuse to wait a moment." Then turning to her son, she said, no longer with severity, but with deep sadness: "Your incomprehensible refusal grieves and disappoints me more than I can express, so I beg and implore that you will remain here. I will return almost immediately. Ah, my son, my dear son, you can not imagine the terrible chagrin you are causing me." "Pray, mother, do not say that," pleaded Gerald, touched by his mother's grief. "You know how much I love you." "You are always saying that, Gerald. I wish I could believe it." "Then send that brute of a Macreuse away, and let me try to convince you that my conduct is at least loyal and honest. What, you insist upon going?" he added, seeing his mother moving towards the door. "M. de Macreuse is waiting for me," replied the duchess. "Then let me send him word to take himself off. There is no necessity of bothering with him." But as M. de Senneterre started towards the bell with the evident intention of giving the order, his mother checked him by saying: "Really, Gerald, another of my great annoyances is the intense aversion--I will not say jealousy--you seem to entertain for a worthy young man whose exemplary life, modesty, and piety ought to be an example to you. Ah, would to Heaven that you had his principles and virtues! If that were the case, you would not prefer low company and a life of dissipation to a brilliant marriage which would assure your happiness and mine."