THE TEIiOW EOSES. 327 



you ; it is a rich and suitable match. But you need say 



nothing about it; I know that all this amounts to nothing 

 when a man is in loTe. It is a great folly, but it is a folly 

 I should be sorry not to have committed myself: they must 

 be cold-blooded mortals who do not commit such. I know 

 very well that old folks call this illusions ; but who knows if 

 it be not they who have some of these illusions t The spec- 

 tacles that lessen objects are not more true than those which 

 enlarge them. 



" ' If she loves you, you must sacrifice everything for her 

 sake: that's a folly, I know; but it is right, and must be 

 done. But you must ascertain if she loves you ; and there is 

 just now an excellent opportunity for putting the question. 



Her family are about to marry her to another Well, 



nephew, you turn pale at that idea, and you would like to 

 measure swords with your odious rival. Is not that what 

 you said just now 1 Well, try to preserve a little of this great 

 courage in the presence of the beautiful Nolmi. They want 

 to marry her: you are richer than she is, but the man they 

 wish to marry her to is richer than you; besides, he has 

 a title, and is a husband quite ready, and the corheille is 

 ready ; whilst for yoa they must wait. Go to Nolmi, and 

 tell her you love her : she knows it well enough, but it is 

 expected to be told. Ask her if she responds to your affection, 

 and tell her she ought to love you; you are young, hand- 

 some, and sensible. Tell her that she shall swear to you to 

 wait three years for you, and that she shall write it to me — 

 to me myself, in a letter, which I will keep. Then I will 

 break off the marriage yonder; I will get you placed in 

 another regiment ; and in three years, in spite of your father, 

 in spite of the " Bah !" in spite of everything, I will marry 

 you.' 



" « Dear uncle, I have an idea.' 



"'Whatiaitr 



" ' I will "Write to her.' 



" ' As you please.' 



" I left my uncle, and instantly set about my letter. There 

 was no difficulty in the writing — I had already written her a 

 hundred and fifty; but it was the delivery of the letter that 

 embarrassed me. vNevertheless, as there was no time to be 



