Do you love my sister ?" "I adore her." "And she," resumed Roland, "does she love you ?" "Of course you understand," returned Sir John, "that I have not asked her.

I was bound, my dear Roland, to speak to you first, and if the matter were agreeable, to beg you to plead my cause with your mother.
After I have obtained the consent of both, I shall make my offer.

Or rather, you will make it for me, for I should never dare." "Then I am the first to receive your confidence ?" "You are my best friend, and it ought to be so." "Well, my dear friend, as far as I am concerned, your suit is won--naturally." "Your mother and sister remain." "They will be one.

You understand that my mother will leave Amelie free to make her own choice; and I need not tell you that if it falls upon you she will be delighted.

But there is a person whom you have forgotten." "Who is that ?" said Sir John, in the tone of a man who, having weighed all chances for and against, believes he knows them all, and is met by an obstacle he has never thought of.
"The First Consul," said Roland.
"God--" ejaculated the Englishman, swallowing the last words of the national oath.
"He spoke to me just before I left for the Vendee of my sister's marriage," continued Roland; "saying that it no longer concerned my mother and myself, for he would take charge of it." "Then," said Sir John, "I am lost." "Why so ?" "The First Consul does not like the English." "Say rather that the English do not like the First Consul." "But who will present my wishes to the First Consul ?" "I will." "And will you speak of them as agreeable to yourself ?" "I'll turn you into a dove of peace between the two nations," said Roland, rising.
"Oh! thank you," cried Sir john, seizing the young man's hand.