has youth, beauty, talent, and is good-natured. She belongs to a good family, and she has an uncle in America who is a millionaire and an old bachelor as well. He will doubtess make Mariana his heiress, which will make her as sweet and toothsome as honey on rose-leaves."
While he summed up all her attractions, he rubbed his hands gleefully, with the satisfaction of a man who had found the road to fortune.
"Very well," he said to himself, winking one eye. "I shall have a fine residence, a good table, a carriage, everything that is nice, and—an adorable wife. It will be wonderful good luck for me, but I shall live through it. As I am not ambitious I can get on with that."
So he began to make eyes at Mariana, which pleased her so much that she laughed whenever she found herself alone, enjoying the thought that Simon was in love with her. There was no obstacle to hinder their happiness; but as they were expecting their uncle from America, Simon insisted that they should await his arrival in order to obtain his approval, and get married then, as the millionaire was virtually the head of the family. Mariana laughed at Simon's earnestness and desire to please her uncle.
"Very well," she said. "It is very good in you to show him such consideration, but he will feel surprised at your asking him for what is not his to give away."
"You are beside yourself," replied Simon, "to think of getting married without paying any regard to your uncle; but I do not feel so
