have seemed to him a proof that he was in servitude indeed if he had accepted such an assurance as that as if it mattered. This was especially the case as his father's mention of the approval of two of his brothers-in-law appeared to point to a possible disapproval on the part of the third. Francie's lover cared as little whether she displeased M. de Brécourt as he cared whether she displeased Maxime and Raoul. The old gentleman continued to read, and in a few moments Gaston came back. He had expressed surprise, just before, that his sisters should have found so much to discuss in the idea of his marriage, but he looked at his father now with an air of having more to say—an intimation that the subject must not be considered as exhausted. "It seems rather odd to me that you should all appear to accept the step I am about to take as a sort of disagreeable necessity, when I myself hold that I have been so exceedingly fortunate."
Mr. Probert lowered his book accommodatingly and rested his eyes upon the fire. "You won't be content till we are enthusiastic. She seems a good girl certainly, and in that you are fortunate."
"I don't think you can tell me what would be better—what you would have preferred," said the young man.
"What I would have preferred? In the first place you must remember that I was not madly impatient to see you married."
