The pair conversed upon indifferent topics, while an aged female connection sat in the room to play propriety.

For many hours they would remain thus, the girl bending over her fancy work, and he vainly striving to find topics of conversation, and, consequently, saying hardly anything, in spite of Marie's feeble efforts to assist in the conversation.

It was a slight relief when M.
de Puymandour proposed a walk; but this was a rare occurrence, for that gentleman usually declared that he never had a moment's leisure.

Never had he seemed so gay and busy since the approaching marriage of his daughter had been the theme of every tongue.

He took all the preparations for the ceremony into his own hands, for he had determined that everything should be conducted on a scale of unparalleled magnificence.