“Tell me, madame,” quoth Aline, “are all men beasts?” Unlike her brother, Madame la Comtesse was tall and majestically built. In the days before her marriage with M. de Sautron, ill-natured folk described her as the only man in the family. She looked down now from her noble height upon her little niece with startled eyes. “Really, Aline, you have a trick of asking the most disconcerting and improper questions.” “Perhaps it is because I find life disconcerting and improper.” “Life? A young girl should not discuss life.” “Why not, since I am alive? You do not suggest that it is an impropriety to be alive?” “It is an impropriety for a young unmarried girl to seek to know too much about life. As for your absurd question about men, when I remind you that man is the noblest work of God, perhaps you will consider yourself answered.” Mme. de Sautron did not invite a pursuance of the subject. But Mlle. de Kercadiou’s outrageous rearing had made her headstrong. “That being so,” said she, “will you tell me why they find such an overwhelming attraction in the immodest of our sex?” Madame stood still and raised shocked hands. Then she looked down her handsome, high-bridged nose. “Sometimes--often, in fact, my dear Aline--you pass all understanding. I shall write to Quintin that the sooner you are married the better it will be for all.” “Uncle Quintin has left that matter to my own deciding,” Aline reminded her. “That,” said madame with complete conviction, “is the last and most outrageous of his errors. Who ever heard of a girl being left to decide the matter of her own marriage? It is... indelicate almost to expose her to thoughts of such things.” Mme. de Sautron shuddered. “Quintin is a boor. His conduct is unheard of. That M. de La Tour d’Azyr should parade himself before you so that you may make up your mind whether he is the proper man for you!” Again she shuddered. “It is of a grossness, of... of a prurience almost... Mon Dieu! When I married your uncle, all this was arranged between our parents. I first saw him when he came to sign the contract. I should have died of shame had it been otherwise. And that is how these affairs should be conducted.” “You are no doubt right, madame. But since that is not how my own case is being conducted, you will forgive me if I deal with it apart from others. M. de La Tour d’Azyr desires to marry me. He has been permitted to pay his court. I should be glad to have him informed that he may cease to do so.” Mme. de Sautron stood still, petrified by amazement. Her long face turned white; she seemed to breathe with difficulty. “But... but... what are you saying?” she gasped. Quietly Aline repeated her statement. “But this is outrageous! You cannot be permitted to play fast-and-loose with a gentleman of M. le Marquis’ quality! Why, it is little more than a week since you permitted him to be informed that you would become his wife!”