These reflections brought another with them--it was quite possible that an opportunity might occur at the last moment.

He painted the scene in his own imagination; he found Loulou alone, embraced her fervently, asked her if she would be his for life; she said "Yes;" then her mother came in, Loulou threw herself on her neck; he took her hand and asked her in due form if she would accept him as a son-in-law, as he had already gained Loulou's consent.
If the councilor was at home, his consent was also given, if not they must wait until he came, and the time could not seem long, even if it lasted an hour.

He did not doubt that they would all consent.

Things might very likely have happened just as he dreamed of, if he had only come to his determination at the right time, and had not hazarded success on the decision of the last moment, when there was hardly time for a weighty decision.
As he approached the red sandstone house, with its sculptured balconies, and its pretty front garden, he had a disagreeable surprise.
At the iron gate two cabs were standing, evidently waiting for visitors at the house.

He was shown, not into the little blue-room, but into the large drawing-room near the winter garden, and found several people there in lively conversation.