She, therefore, with an almost gracious air, congratulated me, as we left the table, upon my manner of playing.
"'I would willingly contract an alliance, offensive and defensive with you,' said she to me.
"'The alliance is already contracted, Mademoiselle,' said I, seizing the opportunity.
"'How is that, Monsieur ?' she replied, raising her head with a dignified air, as if she were getting ready to rebuke some impertinent speech.
"I also gravely straightened up and gave a feudal look to my face.
"'Mademoiselle, I have the honor of belonging to your family, a little distantly, to be sure; that is what makes me speak of an alliance between us as a thing already concluded.

One of my ancestors, Christophe de Gerfaut, married Mademoiselle Yolande de Corandeuil, one of your great-grand-aunts, in 1569.' "'Yolande is really a family name,' replied the old lady, with the most affable smile that her face would admit; 'I bear it myself.

The Corandeuils, Monsieur, never have denied their alliances, and it is a pleasure for me to recognize my relationship with such a man as you.

We address by the title of cousin relatives as far back as 1300.' "'I am nearer related to you by three centuries,' I replied, in my most insinuating voice; 'may I hope that this good fortune will authorize me to pay my respects to you ?' "Mademoiselle de Corandeuil replied to my 'tartuferie' by granting me permission to call upon her.

My attention was not so much absorbed in our conversation that I did not see in a mirror, during this time, the interest with which Madame de Bergenheim watched my conversation with her aunt; but I was careful not to turn around, and I let her take her departure without giving her a second glance.
"Three days later, I made my first call.