But I have wandered from my subject.

Under these circumstances I think it as well that we should not interfere in the matter you speak of.

Personally one could not wish for a better husband for one of our daughters than this young Englishman would make.
"His father is a gentleman, and so is he, and in such times as are coming I should be glad to know that one of my girls had such a protector as he would make her; but this is, as you said at first, almost ridiculous.

He is two years older than she is, but in some respects she is the elder; he regards her as a pretty child, and all his thoughts are given to his studies and his sports.
"He has something of the English barbarian left in him, and is absolutely indifferent to Jeanne's preference.

A French lad at his age would be flattered.