Blanche made her appearance in his cabinet.
"Your capricious daughter has decided, papa, that she would like to become the Marquise de Sairmeuse," said she, peremptorily.
It cost M.de Courtornieu quite an effort to conceal his delight; but he feared if she discovered his satisfaction that the game would be lost.
He presented several objections; they were quickly disposed of; and, at last, he ventured to say: "Then the marriage is half decided; one of the parties consents.

It only remains to ascertain if----" "The other will consent," declared the vain heiress.
And, in fact, for several days Mlle.

Blanche had been applying herself assiduously and quite successfully to the work of fascination which was to bring Martial to her feet.
After having made an advance, with studied frankness and simplicity, sure of the effect she had produced, she now proceeded to beat a retreat--a manoeuvre so simple that it was almost sure to succeed.
Until now she had been gay, _spirituette_, and coquettish; gradually, she became quiet and reserved.

The giddy school-girl had given place to the shrinking virgin.
With what perfection she played her part in the divine comedy of first love! Martial could not fail to be fascinated by the modest artlessness and chaste fears of the heart which seemed to be waking for him.

When he appeared, Mlle.