The differences of two valiant adversaries are very apt to end in a warm mutual attachment--we were destined from the beginning to become, sooner or later, a devoted pair of friends; like Theseus and Pirithous, Nisus and Euryalus, or Damon and Pythias.

But never mind about me now, and tell my sister how you were thinking of her, and longing for her, in that lonely chateau of yours; where, by the way, I made one of the best meals I ever had in my life, though you do pretend that starvation is the rule down there." "And _I_ had a charming supper there too," said Isabelle with a smile, "which I look back upon with the greatest pleasure." "Nevertheless," rejoined de Sigognac, "plenty does not abound there--but I cannot regret the blessed poverty that was the means of first winning me your regard, my precious darling! I am thankful for it--I owe everything to it." "_I_ am of opinion," interrupted Vallombreuse, with a significant smile, "that it would be well for me to go and report myself to my father.

I want to announce your arrival to him myself, de Sigognac! Not that he will need to be specially prepared to receive you, for I am bound to confess--what may surprise my little sister here--that he knew such a thing might come about, and was equally implicated with my graceless self in this little conspiracy.

But one thing yet--tell me before I go, Isabelle, Comtesse de Lineuil, whether you really do intend to accept the Baron de Sigognac as your husband--I don't want to run any risk of making a blunder at this stage of the proceedings, you understand, after having conducted the negotiations successfully up to this point.

You do definitely and finally accept him, eh ?--that is well--and now I will go to the prince.