"Do you think that if I were to look him in the face, as I now look at you, and to say to him: 'Monsieur Mouillard, will you not consent to my becoming your niece?' do you think that then he would give in?" "Alas! Mademoiselle, why can not it be tried?" "It certainly is difficult, but I won't say it can not." We explained, or rather Jeanne explained, the case to M. Charnot, who is assuredly her earliest and most complete conquest. At first he cried out against the idea. He said it was entirely my business, a family matter in which he had no right to interfere. She insisted. She carried his scruples by storm. She boldly proposed a trip to Bourges, and a visit to M. Mouillard. She overflowed with reasons, some of them rather weak, but all so prettily urged! A trip to Bourges would be delightful--something so novel and refreshing! Had M. Charnot complained on the previous evening, or had he not, of having to stop in Paris in the heat of August? Yes, he had complained, and quite right too, for his colleagues did not hesitate to leave their work and rush off to the country. Then she cited examples: one off to the Vosges, another at Arcachon, yet another at Deauville. And she reminded him, too, that a certain old lady, one of his old friends of the Faubourg St. Germain, lived only a few miles out of Bourges, and had invited him to come and see her, she didn't know how many times, and that he had promised and promised and never kept his word. Now he could take the opportunity of going on from Bourges to her chateau. Finally, as M. Charnot continued to urge the singularity of such behavior, she replied: "My dear father! not at all; in visiting Monsieur Mouillard you will be only fulfilling a social duty." "How so, I should like to know?" "He paid you a visit, and you will be returning it!" M. Charnot tossed his head, like a father who, though he may not be convinced, yet admits that he is beaten. As for me, Jeanne, I'm beginning to believe in the fairies again. CHAPTER XVIII A COOL RECEPTION August 3d. I have made another visit to the Rue de l'Universite. They have decided to make the trip. I leave for Bourges tomorrow, a day in advance of M. and Mademoiselle Charnot, who will arrive on the following morning. I am sent on first to fulfil two duties: to engage comfortable rooms at the hotel--first floor with southern aspect--and then to see my uncle and prepare him for his visitors.