Charming lips drew him constantly into the conversation, which, cultivated and many-sided, ranged from the weather to the recently-closed Paris Exhibition, from Sarasate to Vischer's last novel.

Wilhelm had not a word to say on these important subjects, and so spoke in monosyllables, or not at all, till the ladies, who were most of them very animated, came to the conclusion that he was as stupid as he was handsome, "as is usually the case, my dear." At supper Malvine was indefatigable in asking Wilhelm how he liked this dark girl, and what he had said to that fair one, and what impression the piquante little one with the boyish curly head had made upon him?
When he frankly confessed that he had paid very little attention to any of the young ladies, and could scarcely remember one from another, she was very much discouraged.

It was decidedly no easy task to help this clumsy person along.

All three girls of whom she had spoken were heiresses, and beautiful and well-educated beside--what more did he want?
Alas! he did not want anything at all, but to be left in peace, and that was the aggravating part of it.

Malvine had set her heart on marrying him, and marrying him well.