She felt the need which strong characters have in the presence of weak ones; that of acting for the youth, of aiding him in spite of himself, and she attacked at once the question of marriage with Fanny Hafner.

With her usual common-sense, and with her instinct of arranging everything, Madame Steno perceived in the union so many advantages for every one that she was in haste to conclude it as quickly as if it involved a personal affair.
The marriage was earnestly desired by the Baron, who had spoken of it to her for months.

It suited Fanny, who would be converted to Catholicism with the consent of her father.

It suited the Prince, who at one stroke would be freed from his embarrassment.

Finally, it suited the name of Castagna.