Samuel Brohl and Company | Page 6

with sleep. Is there any great haste for what you have to
say to me?"
"Is there any great haste? Why, I arrive breathless from Hungary to
demand your daughter in marriage."
M. Moriaz threw up his arms; then, seating himself on the edge of his
bed, he piteously gasped:
"You could not wait until to-morrow? If a judge is desired to take a
favourable view of a case, he surely should not be disturbed in his first
sleep to consider it."

"My dear master, I am truly distressed to be compelled to be
disagreeable to you, but it is absolutely necessary that you should listen
to me. Two years ago, for the first time, I asked of you your daughter's
hand. After having consulted Antoinette--you will permit me to call her
Antoinette, will you not?--after having consulted her, you told me that I
was too young, that she would not listen seriously to my proposal, and
you gave me your permission to try again in two years. I have
employed these two mortal years in constructing a railroad and a wire
bridge in Hungary, and, believe me, I took infinite pains to forget
Antoinette. In vain! She is the romance of my youth, I never can have
another. On July 5, 1873, did you not tell me to return in two years?
We are now at July 5, 1875, and I return. Am I a punctual man?"
"As punctual as insupportable," rejoined M. Moriaz, casting a
melancholy look at his pillow. "Now, candidly, is it the thing to seek
the presence of the President of the Academy of Sciences between
eleven o'clock and midnight, to pour such silly stuff into his ear? You
are wanting in respect for the Institute. Besides, my dear boy, people
change in two years; you are a proof of it. You have developed from
boyhood almost into manhood, and you have done well to let your
imperial grow; it gives you quite a dashing military air--one would
divine at first sight that you were fresh from Hungary. But, while you
have changed for the better, are you sure that Antoinette has not
changed for the worse? Are you sure that she is still the Antoinette of
your romance?"
"I beg your pardon; I saw her just now, without her seeing me. She was
promenading on your arm in the hotel-garden, which was lit up in her
honour. Formerly she was enchanting, she has become adorable. If you
would have the immense goodness to give her to me, I would be
capable of doing anything agreeable to you. I would relieve you of all
your little troublesome jobs; I would clean your retorts; I would put
labels on your bottles and jars; I would sweep out your laboratory. I
know German very well--I would read all the large German books it
might please you to consult; I would read them, pen in hand; I would
make extracts--written extracts--and such extracts! Grand Dieu! they
would be like copperplate. My dear master, will you give her to me?"

"The absurd creature! He imagines that it only depends upon me to give
him my daughter. I could as easily dispose of the moon. Since she has
had teeth, she had made me desire everything she desires."
"At least you will give me permission to pay my addresses to her
to-morrow?"
"Beware, unlucky youth!" cried M. Moriaz. "You will ruin your case
forever. Since you have been away she has refused two offers, one of
them from a second secretary of legation, Viscount de R---, and at the
present moment she holds in holy horror all suitors. She is
accompanying me to Saint Moritz in order to gather flowers and paint
aquarelle sketches of them. Should you presume to interrupt her in her
favourite occupations, should you present yourself before her like a
creditor on the day of maturity, I swear to you that your note would be
protested, and that you would have nothing better to do than return to
Hungary."
"You are sure of it?"
"As sure as that sulphuric acid will turn litmus red."
"And you have the heart to sent me back to Paris without having
spoken with her?"
"What I have said is for your good, and you know whether I mean you
well or not."
"It is agreed, then, that you will take charge of my interests; that you
will plead my cause?"
"It is understood that I will sound the premises, that I will prepare the
way--"
"And that you will send me tidings shortly, and that these tidings will
be good. I shall await them here, at the Hotel Steinbock."
"As you please; but, for the love of Heaven, let me sleep!"

M. Camille Langis pressed his two arms and said, with much emotion: