"I know my father has only sent for me to make me promise to marry some horrid man. It must be for some such reason. What else could he want me for? Oh dear, oh dear, why cannot he leave me in peace? I am so happy here." "I wonder who he can have in his mind? I am certain it cannot be anyone really nice, all his male friends are such horrid people." For a long time she lay down in a kind of stupor, until at length her maid knocked at the door, and informed her that the carriage was waiting. Hurriedly putting on her hat and cloak, she ran downstairs, and drove off to her father's house. The clock had just struck five as she entered the vestibule and handed her card to the portier. The moment she was ushered into the sitting-room her father rose to receive her. "Well, my child," said Monsieur Payot, closing the door after she had taken off her things, "sit down and let me talk to you quietly." Renée sat down, and her father beat a tattoo on the table with his fingers, as if he were calling up his troops before charging the enemy. "I have observed," he said slowly, clearing his throat, "I have observed that for some time past, Pierre, the son of my old friend General Duval, has evidently expressed a passion for you, and yesterday the General called to ask me formally for your hand on his behalf." Renée's heart thumped so violently that she felt her head beginning to swim. "I felt exceedingly delighted, as you can well imagine, since the General is not only one of my oldest friends," continued Payot, "as well as one of my former comrades in arms, but the chance of such a distinguished alliance will greatly add to my wealth and position. Moreover Pierre is not only rich, but he will inherit at least two considerable fortunes, besides being a most charming and lovable young man with an unbounded future before him. Of his affection for you there is not a shadow of doubt." The girl grew scarlet, and remained too bewildered to reply. "That's a good girl, Renée, I can see by your blushes," her father went on to say, "that you return his affection, and that your silence implies your consent to his offer," and he rubbed his hands and chuckled with satisfaction. "But, papa, you don't really mean to say that I have to marry Pierre," said Renée gasping for breath, while the tears began to flow.