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140 extraordinaire, and entertains a decided preference for gentlemen of a certain age."

"Et vous vous laissez attraper comme cela?" said Dorothée.

"Besides," said the Marquis, "she is ambitious, and aspires to a distinguished alliance."

"For that part of the story, it's likely enough," said Dorothée. "And what do you mean to do with her when she arrives?"

"Marry her, assuredly," said the Marquis, in as firm a voice as he could assume, for he felt rather awed by the thunder-cloud he saw gathering on Ma'm'selle Dorothée's fair brow; there was something very like truth in the Marquis's manner, and she did not quite admire the aspect affairs were taking.

"You're telling me this to put me in a passion; I'm sure you are," said Dorothée, as the angry blood suffused her cheeks.

"By the blood of my ancestors, no!" answered Querubin. "Here is the letterlet Criquet read it to you. You will there learn her qualifications, and the favourable disposition she entertains towards me."

Not too much delighted at the office, however, Criquet undertook it; since the art of reading formed no part of Ma'm'selle Dorothée's