“I can’t help it,” said the barrister. “I must, at any price, get out of this position; it is no longer tenable. You talk about your pamphlet; I am not in a fit condition to finish it. You, who have been a man of gallantry, you must know the dominion that women, fatal creatures! exercise over our whole being.” “Bah!” said Thuillier, conceitedly, “they cared for me, but I did not often care for them; I took them, and left them, you know.” “Yes, but I, with my Southern nature, love passionately; and Celeste has other attractions besides fortune. Brought up in your household, under your own eye, you have made her adorable. Only, I must say, you have shown great weakness in letting that young fellow, who does not suit her in any respect, get such hold upon her fancy.” “You are quite right; but the thing began in a childish friendship; she and Felix played together. You came much later; and it is a proof of the great esteem in which we hold you, that when you made your offer we renounced our earlier projects.” “_You_ did, yes,” said la Peyrade, “and with some literary manias--which, after all, are frequently full of sense and wit--you have a heart of gold; with you friendship is a sure thing, and you know what you mean. But Brigitte is another matter; you’ll see, when you propose to her to hasten the marriage, what a resistance she will make.” “I don’t agree with you. I think that Brigitte has always wanted you and still wants you for son-in-law--if I may so express myself. But whether she does or not, I beg you to believe that in all important matters I know how to have my will obeyed. Only, let us come now to a distinct understanding of what you wish; then we can start with the right foot foremost, and you’ll see that all will go well.” “I wish,” replied la Peyrade, “to put the last touches to your pamphlet; for, above all things, I think of you.” “Certainly,” said Thuillier, “we ought not to sink in port.” “Well, in consequence of the feeling that I am oppressed, stultified by the prospect of a marriage still so doubtful, I am certain that not a page of manuscript could be got out of me in any form, until the question is settled.” “Very good,” said Thuillier; “then how do you present that question?” “Naturally, if Celeste’s decision be against me, I should wish an immediate solution. If I am condemned to make a marriage of convenience I ought to lose no time in taking the opportunity I mentioned to you.” “So be it; but what time do you intend to allow us?” “I should think that in fifteen days a girl might be able to make up her mind.” “Undoubtedly,” replied Thuillier; “but it is very repugnant to me to let Celeste decide without appeal.”