man, and an erect
bearing which enables the most superficial observer to recognize a
military man even in plain clothes. The habit of command produces this
result. Ursula loved Savinien the better for it, and took a childlike
pleasure in walking round the garden with him, taking his arm, and
hearing him relate the part he played (as midshipman) in the taking of
Algiers. Evidently Savinien had taken the city. The doctor, who had been
watching them from his window as he dressed, soon came down. Without
telling the viscount everything, he did say that, in case Madame de
Portenduere consented to his marriage with Ursula, the fortune of his
godchild would make his naval pay superfluous.

"Alas!" said Savinien. "It will take a great deal of time to overcome my
mother's opposition. Before I left her to enter the navy she was placed
between two alternatives,--either to consent to my marrying Ursula or
else to see me only from time to time and to know me exposed to the
dangers of the profession; and you see she chose to let me go."

"But, Savinien, we shall be together," said Ursula, taking his hand and
shaking it with a sort of impatience.

To see each other and not to part,--that was the all of love to her; she
saw nothing beyond it; and her pretty gesture and the petulant tone of
her voice expressed such innocence that Savinien and the doctor were
both moved by it. The resignation was written and despatched, and
Ursula's fete received full glory from the presence of her betrothed.
A few months later, towards the month of May, the home-life of the
doctor's household had resumed the quite tenor of its way but with one
welcome visitor the more. The attentions of the young viscount were
soon interpreted in the town as those of a future husband,--all the more
because his manners and those of Ursula, whether in church, or on the
promenade, though dignified and reserved, betrayed the understanding of
their hearts. Dionis pointed out to the heirs that the doctor had never
asked Madame de Portenduere for the interest of his money, three years
of which was now due.

"She'll be forced to yield, and consent to this derogatory marriage of
her son," said the notary. "If such a misfortune happens it is probable
that the greater part of your uncle's fortune will serve for what Basile
calls 'an irresistible argument.'"

CHAPTER XIV. URSULA AGAIN ORPHANED

The irritation of the heirs, when convinced that their uncle loved
Ursula