28/57 Two years ago, for the first time, I asked of you your daughter's hand. After having consulted Antoinette--you will permit me to call her Antoinette, will you not ?--after having consulted her, you told me that I was too young, that she would not listen seriously to my proposal, and you gave me your permission to try again in two years. I have employed these two mortal years in constructing a railroad and a wire bridge in Hungary, and, believe me, I took infinite pains to forget Antoinette. In vain! She is the romance of my youth, I never can have another. On July 5, 1873, did you not tell me to return in two years? |