Once more intreating you to forgive me, "I remain, "Yours respectfully, "GEORGE DE CROISENOIS." "Very pretty indeed," said M.de Puymandour, as he replaced the letter in its envelope.

"This is sufficient, and I need not read the others; but pray, what answer did you give ?" "That I must refer him to you, my dear father." "Indeed, on my word, you do me too much honor; and did you really think that I would listen to such proposals?
Perhaps you love him ?" She turned her lovely face towards her father, with the great tears rolling down her cheeks for her sole reply.
This mute confession, for as such he regarded it, put the finishing touch to M.de Puymandour's exasperation.
"You absolutely love him, and have the impudence to tell me so ?" Marie glanced at her father, and answered,-- "The Marquis de Croisenois is of good family." "Pooh! you know nothing about it.

Why, the first Croisenois was one of Richelieu's minions, and Louis XIII.

conferred the title for some shady piece of business which he carried out for him.

Has this fine Marquis any means of livelihood ?" "Certainly; about sixty thousand francs a year." "Humbug! What did he mean by addressing you secretly?
Only to compromise your name, and so to secure your fortune, and perhaps to break off your marriage with another." "But why suppose this ?" "I suppose nothing; I am merely going upon facts.