The colonel knew of
her sudden decisions against so many Kaskaskians that he particularly
asked her to take time. Two dimpling grooves were cut in his cheeks by
the smile which hovered there, as he rose to drink the godmother's
health, and she said,--
"Angelique, you may leave the room."
Angelique left the room, and he drew his chair toward the autocrat for
the conference she expected.
"It is very kind of you, madame," said Colonel Menard, "to give me this
chance of speaking to you alone."
"I do so, monsieur the colonel, because I myself have something to say."
The little elfin voice disregarded Wachique and the page. They were part
of the furniture of the room, and did not count as listeners.
"You understand that I wish to propose for mademoiselle?"
Tante-gra'mere nodded. "I understand that you are a man who will make a
contract and conduct his marriage properly; while these Welsh and
English, they lean over a gallery rail and whisper, and I am told they
even come fiddling under the windows after decent people are asleep.
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