nd," he exclaimed, "and I love her
with all my heart."

"Are you entirely free to do so, my lord?"

"Entirely. For the last twelve years, as I told you, I have had my
fortune under my own control; it amounts to twenty-five thousand pounds
sterling a year."

"Too much, my dear fellow, for a woman who can only bring you fifty
thousand francs."

"Oh!" said the Englishman, with that national accent that returned to
him occasionally in moments of strong excitement, "if I must get rid of
a part of it, I can do so."

"No," replied Roland, laughing, "that's not necessary. You're rich; it's
unfortunate, but what's to be done?--No, that's not the question. Do you
love my sister?"

"I adore her."

"And she," resumed Roland, "does she love you?"

"Of course you understand," returned Sir John, "that I have not asked
her. I was bound, my dear Roland, to speak to you first, and if the
matter were agreeable, to beg you to plead my cause with your mother.
After I have obtained the consent of both, I shall make my offer. Or
rather, you will make it for me, for I should never dare."

"Then I am the first to receive your confidence?"

"You are my best friend, and it ought to be so."

"Well, my dear friend, as far as I am concerned, your suit is
won--naturally."

"Your mother and sister remain."

"They will be one. You understand that my mother will leave Amelie free
to make her own choice; and I need not tell you that if it falls
upon you she will be delighted. But there is a person whom you have
forgotten."

"Who is that?" said Sir John, in the tone of a man who, having weighed
all chances for and against, believes he knows them all, and is met by
an obstacle he has never thought of.

"The First Consul," said Roland.

"God--" ejaculated the Englishman, swallowing the last words of the
national oath.

"He spoke to me just before I left for the Vendee of my sister's
marriage," continued Roland; "saying that it no longer concerned my
mother and myself, for he would take charge of it."

"Then," said Sir John, "I am lost."

"Why so?"

"The First Consul does not like the English."

"Say rather that the English do not like the First Consul."

"But who will present my wishes to the First Consul?"

"I will."

"And will you speak of them as agreeable to yourself?"

"I'll turn you into a dove of peace between the two nations," said
Roland, rising.

"Oh! thank you," cried Sir john, seizing the young man's hand. Th