"Pluck from the flower it's leafy store--[_A pause._] Love me little, love me more; [_A pause._] Hearts change owners, yet combine, If---- _Man._ I respectfully decline." _Mlle H._ [_Throwing away the flower, which she has been picking to pieces_] Then, sir-- _Sees BEVANNES, who enters._ Indeed, I could look at it all day, it is so beautiful--but I positively must go. Monsieur, an revoir. [_Aside to MANUEL, as she goes._] You have misunderstood me. [_Exit._ _Man._ Have I? Then I must be a greater fool than I thought. _Bev._ [_Aside._] Pretty close quarters. What the deuce is that governess after? And now for a little scientific pumping. [_Comes down._] Ah, Monsieur Manuel, at your drawing, eh? Beautiful, beautiful, indeed. _Man._ You flatter. _Bev._ Not at all--but to change the subject--by the by, do, I interrupt your work? _Man._ Not in the least. _Bev._ Well, I was going to compliment you on the vast affection and confidence you have inspired in poor old Laroque. _Man._ I believe he really has a kindly regard for me. _Bev._ Regard! my dear sir--you are absolutely wound around his heart. His affection for his grand-daughter is very great, but no one has the influence over him that you have. Now, in the strictest confidence, I'm going to be very frank with you--and mark me well, you will not find it to your disadvantage hereafter, if you are equally frank with _me_. _Man._ Really, I don't quite-- _Bev._ No; but you will presently. Without flattery, I think you-- _Man._ [_Referring to his picture._] Too green. _Bev._ Eh? Oh, exactly. I was about to say I think you, in every way, a gentleman, therefore I don't hesitate to confide in you the fact that yesterday, after dinner, I was just-- _Man._ [_To picture._] A little blue. _Bev._ Eh? Oh precisely. I was just on the point of proposing to Madame Laroque for her daughter's hand, when it suddenly struck me that I should possess a double claim, if I could, in the first place, influence you enough in the young lady's favor to make it certain that the bulk of Monsieur Laroque's property would be left to her. _Man._ Monsieur de Bevannes, you really very much over-rate-- _Bev._ Pray forgive me, but you hardly know yourself, the importance of your good offices in this matter. I was going on to say that my marriage with Marguerite is all but a settled affair, and, of course, it is my duty to promote her interests in every possible way. I think you must concede that? _Man._ Surely, but-- _Bev._Permit me. Now I wish to call to your mind that Madame Laroque, though a worthy excellent woman, is one of very simple tastes and habits, and, should too large a portion of the property be left to her, it would tax and embarrass her to an extent that would be painful to my feelings. I hope you appreciate my disinterestedness in the matter.