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“Giveustimetothinkitover。“
HewalkedhomewithMinoret，applaudingthesolicitudeshownbythefatherforhisson’sinterests，andslightlyblamingUrsulaforherhastydecision。AssoonasMinoretwaswithinhisowngate，Bongrandwenttotheposthouse，borrowedahorseandcabriolet，andstartedforFontainebleau，wherehewenttoseethedeputyprocureur，andwastoldthathewasspendingtheeveningatthehouseofthesub-prefect。
Bongrand，delighted，followedhimthere。Desirewasplayingwhistwiththewifeoftheprocureurduroi，thewifeofthesub-prefect，andthecoloneloftheregimentingarrison。
“Icometobringyousomegoodnews，“saidBongrandtoDesire；“youloveyourcousinUrsula，andthemarriagecanbearranged。“
“IloveUrsulaMirouet！“criedDesire，laughing。“Wheredidyougetthatidea？IdorememberseeinghersometimesatthelateDoctorMinoret’s；shecertainlyisabeauty；butsheisdreadfullypious。I
certainlytooknoticeofhercharms，butImustsayInevertroubledmyheadseriouslyforthatratherinsipidlittleblonde，“headded，smilingatthesub-prefect’swife(whowasapiquantebrunette——touseatermofthelastcentury)。“Youaredreaming，mydearMonsieurBongrand；Ithoughteveryoneknewthatmyfatherwasalordofamanor，witharentrollofforty-fivethousandfrancsayearfromlandsaroundhischateauatRouvre，——goodreasonswhyIshouldnotlovethegoddaughterofmylategreat-uncle。IfIweretomarryagirlwithoutapennytheseladieswouldconsidermeafool。“
“HaveyounevertormentedyourfathertoletyoumarryUrsula？“
“Never。“
“Youhearthat，monsieur？“saidthejusticetotheprocureurduroi，whohadbeenlisteningtotheconversation，leadinghimasideintotherecessofawindow，wheretheyremainedinconversationforaquarterofanhour。
AnhourlaterBongrandwasbackinNemours，atUrsula’shouse，whencehesentLaBougivaltoMinorettobeghisattendance。Thecolossuscameatonce。
“Mademoiselle——“beganBongrand，addressingMinoretasheenteredtheroom。
“Accepts？“criedMinoret，interruptinghim。
“No，notyet，“repliedBongrand，fingeringhisglasses。“Ihadscruplesastoyourson’sfeelings；forUrsulahasbeenmuchtriedlatelyaboutasupposedlover。Weknowtheimportanceoftranquillity。
CanyousweartomethatyoursontrulylovesherandthatyouhavenootherintentionthantopreserveourdearUrsulafromanyfurtherGoupilisms？“
“Oh，I’llsweartothat，“criedMinoret。
“Stop，papaMinoret，“saidthejustice，takingonehandfromthepocketofhistrouserstoslapMinoretontheshoulder(thecolossustrembled)；“Don’tswearfalsely。“
“Swearfalsely？“
“Yes，eitheryouoryourson，whohasjustswornatFontainebleau，inpresenceoffourpersonsandtheprocureurduroi，thathehasnevereventhoughtofhiscousinUrsula。Youhaveotherreasonsforofferingthisfortune。Isawyouwereinventingthattale，andwentmyselftoFontainebleautoquestionyourson。“
Minoretwasdumbfoundedathisownfolly。
“Butwhere’stheharm，MonsieurBongrand，inproposingtoayoungr
