"You have an idea--have you an idea?
--" "Well, yes, the idea of getting her out of Nemours, so that my son will leave me in peace; he is in love with her and wants to marry her." "Well, we'll see about it," said Bongrand, settling his spectacles.
"Give us time to think it over." He walked home with Minoret, applauding the solicitude shown by the father for his son's interests, and slightly blaming Ursula for her hasty decision.

As soon as Minoret was within his own gate, Bongrand went to the post house, borrowed a horse and cabriolet, and started for Fontainebleau, where he went to see the deputy procureur, and was told that he was spending the evening at the house of the sub-prefect.
Bongrand, delighted, followed him there.

Desire was playing whist with the wife of the procureur du roi, the wife of the sub-prefect, and the colonel of the regiment in garrison.
"I come to bring you some good news," said Bongrand to Desire; "you love your cousin Ursula, and the marriage can be arranged." "I love Ursula Mirouet!" cried Desire, laughing.

"Where did you get that idea?
I do remember seeing her sometimes at the late Doctor Minoret's; she certainly is a beauty; but she is dreadfully pious.

I certainly took notice of her charms, but I must say I never troubled my head seriously for that rather insipid little blonde," he added, smiling at the sub-prefect's wife (who was a piquante brunette--to use a term of the last century).