"Ah, what a dangerous thing a mother is! She seems to be quite capable of marrying you to the heiress of millions, even against your will, especially when there is danger that a scoundrel like Macreuse may be converted into a millionaire. The fact is, the more I think of it the more pleased I am at the idea of circumventing this hypocrite. What a blow it would be to him! But there is one difficulty, my dear mother, and it strikes me that I am a little late in thinking of it." "What do you mean?" "I am by no means sure that I should please Mlle. de Beaumesnil." "You will only have to try to succeed in doing it, I am sure, my dear Gerald." "A true mother's view of the matter." "I know you better than most people, perhaps." "You are not capable of giving an opinion on the matter, I see. Your affection blinds you, but I forgive you." "Leave the matter to me, Gerald. Only consent to be guided by me, and see if I don't conduct the affair to a successful termination." "Do you know that one would take you for an inveterate match-maker if one didn't know you," said Gerald, gaily. "But all mothers are alike in one respect, when their children's interests are at stake they become positive tigresses and lionesses. Very well, whatever your will may be I resign myself to it blindly." "My dear, good Gerald," cried the delighted duchess, positively weeping with joy; "you cannot imagine how happy you have made me. That wretched Macreuse will die of spite." "That is so, mother. I shall give him the jaundice instead of the sword-thrust he would have declined to take." "Now, Gerald, let us talk the matter over sensibly." "So be it. I am listening." "As you have made up your mind, it is of the utmost importance that you should see Mlle. de Beaumesnil as soon as possible." "Very well." "This first interview, you must understand, is of great importance." "Unquestionably." "The fact is so apparent that I had a long talk with Mesdames de Mirecourt and de la Rochaigue upon the subject this morning. From what the latter lady is able to judge of Mlle. de Beaumesnil's character, this is the plan we think most expedient; but you shall judge for yourself, Gerald." "Very well, let me hear it." "We recognised from the first the impossibility of representing you as a serious-minded and settled man--" "And you showed your good sense, for I should have proved you a set of base deceivers only too soon," retorted Gerald, laughing. "Of course there is no hope of avoiding the many censorious remarks which the frivolity of your conduct seems to justify, my poor Gerald, so the best thing we can do is to make everything that is said against you redound to your credit as much as possible." "Only mothers could show themselves such clever diplomatists as that."