"Imagine Monsieur le Comte aiding and abetting a runaway marriage a year ago!" said the Abbe, with a roguish smile. "The Abbe is right, young gentleman. A year ago I should no more have thought of violating a universal custom of our civilization than of joining a conspiracy against the King. But a year ago I had not loved. I knew not what it might be for a man to see the woman he loved given into the possession of another. I now consider love as having first right. It is to be obeyed against all other considerations. Moreover, if I now do Love a service in aiding this match of yours, Love will owe me a favor. It may repay me by--giving me--" The Count ceased talking, and sighed. "Monsieur le Comte has a strange fancy he does not receive back as much love as he bestows," explained the Abbe, gently. "He does not allow for the lady's youth, which makes her naturally shy and undemonstrative in his presence." "I am sure there can be no reason for his fancy," said Dick, glancing with genuine admiration at the singularly noble and gentle countenance of his host. "And if there were," said the Abbe, noting that the Count still looked pensive, "what woman's heart could continue long unsusceptible to such munificence? What think you of this chateau, with its princely parks, as a wedding present, monsieur,--a little surprise, after the jewels, the house in Paris, and the other trinkets shall have been surveyed? Do you not think that, if anything be wanting to make the lady's heart respond, it will be supplied when she is told that she is mistress of this house, which, as Monsieur le Comte has learned, she has coveted since her childhood?" Dick's thought that the Abbe knew less of how women are constituted than abbes are supposed to know, was suddenly driven out by another thought,--that it was strange two young ladies should both have coveted this chateau since childhood. "You now understand," said the Count to Dick, "my desire to remain unknown as the purchaser of this place. I would not have the news reach her ears and spoil the surprise. And I congratulate myself on being here, superintending the last alterations, and on having brought the Abbe with me as company; for that your love match may be somewhat facilitated through us. Come, Abbe, rejoice with me that we are enabled to serve love, and to baffle those who would do it violence! What greater crime can there be than to force a girl to a marriage of interest? Your rival, monsieur, will deserve his discomfiture! I should really like to witness his chagrin. To conspire selfishly, with a young girl's natural protectors, against her happiness! Yes, it pleases me to think how crestfallen he will be! Monsieur, you have drunk already to my future countess; let us drink now to the lady whom the Abbe shall unite to you in this house at whatever time she may select!"