"But men are sometimes so absurdly sensitive on the subject." "Sensitive?" "Still, one is not responsible for it. Can one fight against nature?" "Against nature? Really, Ravil, you must be losing your wits. What do you mean by all this?" "You are fortunate, too, inasmuch as appearances are in your favour. You are stout, you have rather a shrill voice, and scarcely any beard--" "And what of that?" "You don't understand me?" "No." "And he calls himself a politician?" "What the devil do you mean by prating about my shrill voice, my sparse beard, and my political astuteness?" "Mornand, you make me doubt your sagacity. Think, what did you say to me only day before yesterday concerning the marriage of the young Queen of Spain?" "Day before yesterday?" "Yes, that state secret, you know." "Hush, hush!" "Oh, you needn't be afraid,--I shall be as silent as the grave. Do you recollect now?" "Yes, I told you that if we could only marry a French prince to the sister of the Queen of Spain, it would be one of the most brilliant of diplomatic triumphs to give the aforesaid queen, for a husband, a prince who offered sufficient guarantees--through his antecedents--that the queen would never have any children. The throne would then pass eventually into the possession of her sister's children, that is to say, into the possession of French princes. A magnificent combination," added the future minister, enthusiastically. "It would be a continuation of the policy of the Great Monarch!" "Well, the illustration is apt. Profit by it," retorted Ravil, shrugging his shoulders. "What do you mean?" "Answer me this: Who are Mlle. de Beaumesnil's only remaining relatives?" "M. de la Rochaigue, his sister, and, after them, M. de la Rochaigue's daughter, who is married and resides in the provinces." "Exactly; so if Mlle. de Beaumesnil should die without issue--?" "It is the Rochaigue family that would inherit the fortune. That is as plain as daylight. But what the devil are you driving at?" "Wait; now suppose that the Rochaigue family can persuade Mlle. de Beaumesnil to marry a man who can furnish those same guarantees,--those same reassuring antecedents you spoke of as desirable in the Queen of Spain's husband? Would not the Rochaigues find it greatly to their interest to bring about a marriage that would ensure them the possession of their young relative's wealth at some future day?" "I understand, Ravil," said M. de Mornand, thoughtfully, and as if deeply impressed by the grandeur of the scheme. "Tell me, then, are you willing that I should pose you before the eyes of the Rochaigues as a man (except for royal lineage) perfectly adapted to be the husband of a Queen of Spain who has a French prince for a brother-in-law? It will ensure you the support of the baron's wife and sister, remember." After a prolonged silence, the Comte de Mornand said, with a both diplomatic and majestic air: "De Ravil,--I give you _carte blanche_." CHAPTER XX.