e formality imaginable, Denecker slapped him familiarly on
the shoulder, and continued,--

"Well! well! we were good friends from the beginning; and now I
understand we are to be regular gossips:--at least I hope so. That scamp
hasn't bad taste, I must confess. He would have to make a long search
before he found a handsomer or more amiable woman than Lenora. Look you,
Monsieur De Vlierbeck, we must have a wedding frolic that people will
talk of twenty years hence!"

By this time they had got into the saloon and taken their seats; but De
Vlierbeck, nervous as he was, had considerable doubt as to the tone of
Denecker's remarks, and whether he was jesting or serious.

"It seems," continued Denecker, assuming a graver tone, "that Gustave is
madly impatient for this union, and begs me to hasten it. I have taken
compassion on the young fellow and left all the business of our house
topsy-turvy to-day to arrange matters with you. He tells me you have
given your consent. That was kind of you, sir. I thought a great deal of
this affair during my journey, for I had observed that Cupid's arrows
had gone clean through and through the boy; yet I had fears about your
consent. Inequality of blood, old-fashioned ideas, might perhaps
interfere."

"And so Gustave told you that I consented to his marriage with Lenora?"
said the old gentleman, paying no attention to Monsieur Denecker's
remarks.

"Did he deceive me, sir?" said Denecker, with surprise.

"No; but did he communicate something else to you, which ought to strike
you as of equal importance?"

Denecker threw back his head with a laugh, as he replied,--

"What nonsense you made him believe! But, between us two, that passes
for nothing. He tells me that Grinselhof don't belong to you and that
you are _poor_! I hope, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, you have too good an
opinion of my sense to imagine I have the least faith in such a story?"

A shudder passed over the poor gentleman's frame. Denecker's
good-humored familiarity had made him believe that he knew and credited
all, and nevertheless responded to his nephew's hopes; but the last
words he heard taught him that he must again go over the sad recital of
his misfortunes.

"Monsieur Denecker," said he, "do not entertain the least doubt, I beg
you, in regard to what I am about to say. I am willing instantly to
consent that my daughter shall become your nephew's wife; but I solemnly
declare that I am poor,--frightfully poor!"

"