Perhaps his plans were not matured.

At any rate, he did not propose to Athalie at Monte Carlo; and, although he and his sister returned to Paris at the same time as the baron and his daughter, he still deferred the proposal." "Has he not made it yet ?" "Yes, Mr.Cleek.He made it six weeks ago--to be exact, two nights before the Villa de Carjorac was fired." "You think it was fired, then ?" "I do now, although I had no suspicion of it at the time.

Athalie received her proposal on the Saturday, the baron gave his consent on the Sunday, and on Monday night the villa was mysteriously burnt, leaving all three of us without an immediate refuge.

In the meantime, Madame la Comtesse had purchased the ruin of the Chateau Larouge, and during the period of her brother's deferred proposal was engaged in fitting it up as an abode for herself and him.

On the very day it was finished, Monsieur Merode asked for Athalie's hand." "Oho!" said Cleek, with a strong rising inflection.