an estate, I
believe, in Brittany, but Monsieur de Chavannes, who was at school here,
and has passed all his younger days in this country, is more an
Englishman than a Frenchman, and only visits France at rare intervals.
That is all I know about him, and that only by accident, Monsieur
Gironac having told me, in his lively way, what I should not have
dreamed of inquiring."

"Very proper, indeed--and very good so far, but one would like to know
something definite about a man before taking him for one's husband."

"I should think so, indeed, Judge; but as I am not going to take him for
my husband, I am quite contented with knowing what I do know of him."

"And what do you know?--of yourself,--I speak of your own knowledge? No
hearsay evidence in the case."

"Nothing more than that he is lively and agreeable, that he has very
good manners, and seems very good-natured--I might say, he has been very
good-natured to Auguste, poor fellow."

"Poor fellow! Yes," answered the Judge. "But men are very apt to be
good-natured to poor fellows, who have got nice sisters, with whom they
are in love."

"I dare say, Judge. But to reply in your own phraseology--that is no
case in point; for granting that Auguste's sister is _nice_, which I
will not be so modest as to gainsay, Monsieur de Chavannes is not the
least in love with her."

"Perhaps, not."

"Certainly, not."

"Well, be it so? What else do you know about him?"

"Nothing, Judge Selwyn."

"Nothing of his character, his principles, his morals, or his habits?"

"Really, Judge, one would think, to hear you, that I was going to hire a
footman--which I am much too poor to do--and that Monsieur de Chavannes
had applied for the place. What on earth have I to do with the young
gentleman's character or principles? I know that he is very
gentlemanlike, and is neither a coxcomb nor a pedant, which is
refreshing in these days."

"And, as Caroline says, very handsome, eh?"

"Yes, I think he is handsome," I replied. "But that has nothing to do
with it."

"Not much, truly," said the Judge drily. "And this is all you know?"

"Or desire to know. It seems to me quite enough to know of an
acquaintance of a few days' standing."

"Well--well," he answered, shaking his head a little.

"Well. He _is_ all that you say. A very fine young man, he seems. I
like him. Well, I will make inquiries."

"Not on my account, I intreat, Judge Selwyn,"--said I, interrupting him