CHAPTER V

M. Levrault had profited by Laure's absence to speak seriously to Gaspard about his future. As a matter of fact, the merchant prince, as he was in the habit of calling himself, had determined not to let the day pass without inducing Gaspard to ask for Laure's hand. He set about his task with great skill, as he thought. It was his dream, he said, to marry his daughter in Brittany, and to purchase a large estate. Laure's husband must be of noble race ; it mattered not how poor he was, he (M. Levrault) would do his best to restore his castle and rescue his land from ruin. Then by a clever transition he opened the question of the viscount's future. He was astonished that Gaspard had wantonly condemned himself to a life of inaction and obscurity. Prompted by a sentiment of paternal affection for him, he felt authorised to speak severely. It was Gaspard's duty, not merely to his noble ancestors, but to his

neighbours, yes, to his disinterested self, to restore his fallen house, and fortunately there were means, honourable and safe, of doing so. " What are those means ?" asked Gaspard, with an incredulous smile, but in reality trying to egg on the old dupe. " Would a gentleman of your position consider it beneath his dignity to marry the daughter of a rich banker or of a merchant prince ? In thèse days, I think not. What family would not hasten to receive you with open arms ? What woman would not be proud to have conquered a heart like yours ? " Gaspard pretended to be incapable of resisting such an appeal as this, and feeling now that he had the millions within his grasp, was about to confess his love for Laure, when suddenly the drawing-room door opened and in walked Laure followed by the Marquis of La Rochelandier.

Banquo's ghost appearing at Macbeth's feast was child's play compared with this sudden apparition. Gaspard, filled with confusion and anger, would have given his last farthing to feel the ground open under his feet. Gaston scarcely acknowledged his présence, and after a few minutes' conversation with M. Levrault took his leave. The viscount was already feeling more comfortable, when Laure began to inquire in a significant manner why he had not taken them to La Rochelandier. He explained that he was not aware that the La Rochelandiers were at home ; and when pressed for further reasons, he went on to say that he and the La Rochelandiers not merely belonged to différent sections of the nobility, but differed in their political views. They would never forgive him for joining the new Government, pacifying the Vendée, and ruining the last hopes of the Legitimist party in the west. He further suggested that the kindness which the marchioness had shown to Laure was prompted by her admiration for M. Levrault' s wealth. This was too much. Laure asked what he meant, and what was the meaning of ail the attentions with which she and her father had been overwhelmed from the very evening of their arrivai at La Trélade. At this point Gaspard got

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up pale with rage, but Laure, wishing to play with him a little longer, begged of him to be seated, and soothed him somewhat by apologising for having wounded his susceptibihty. He thought he was saved, and was just on the point of raising Laure's hand to his lips, when she said quietly, " Suppose we talk about the Devil's Road ? " This was the fînishing stroke : he got up, and turning a deaf ear to M. Levrault^s protests, he left the room Hke a whirlwind. Laure had some difficulty in persuading her father that she had acted rightly. He refused to be pacified, for he thought he had lost a golden opportunity.