ormed than either of them, had known for three months
past that the Duc d'Argaiolo was dead.

In the month of April 1836 no one had had any news from or of Albert
de Savarus. Jerome and Mariette were to be married, but the Baroness
confidentially desired her maid to wait till her daughter was married,
saying that the two weddings might take place at the same time.

"It is time that Rosalie should be married," said the Baroness one
day to Monsieur de Watteville. "She is nineteen, and she is fearfully
altered in these last months."

"I do not know what ails her," said the Baron.

"When fathers do not know what ails their daughters, mothers can guess,"
said the Baroness; "we must get her married."

"I am quite willing," said the Baron. "I shall give her les Rouxey now
that the Court has settled our quarrel with the authorities of Riceys by
fixing the boundary line at three hundred feet up the side of the Dent
de Vilard. I am having a trench made to collect all the water and carry
it into the lake. The village did not appeal, so the decision is final."

"It has never occurred to you," said Madame de Watteville, "that this
decision cost me thirty thousand francs handed over to Chantonnit. That
peasant would take nothing else; he sold us peace.--If you give away les
Rouxey, you will have nothing left," said the Baroness.

"I do not need much," said the Baron; "I am breaking up."

"You eat like an ogre!"

"Just so. But however much I may eat, I feel my legs get weaker and
weaker--"

"It is from working the lathe," said his wife.

"I do not know," said he.

"We will marry Rosalie to Monsieur de Soulas; if you give her les
Rouxey, keep the life interest. I will give them fifteen thousand francs
a year in the funds. Our children can live here; I do not see that they
are much to be pitied."

"No. I shall give them les Rouxey out and out. Rosalie is fond of les
Rouxey."

"You are a queer man with your daughter! It does not occur to you to ask
me if I am fond of les Rouxey."

Rosalie, at once sent for, was informed that she was to marry Monsieur
de Soulas one day early in the month of May.

"I am very much obliged to you, mother, and to you too, father, for
having thought of settling me; but I do not mean to marry; I am very
happy with you."

"Mere speeches!" said the Baroness. "You are not in love with Monsieur
de Soulas, that is all."

"If you insist on the plain truth, I will never marry Monsieur de
Soulas