"I see no objection to being introduced by you to Mlle. de Beaumesnil at a race in the Bois de Boulogne; but do you really think it advisable that the presentation should take place on a day that I am arrayed in the garb of a jockey?"
"But why not? I am sure the costume is extremely becoming to you."
"It seems to me to savour too much of an actor."
"Really, Gerald, you have the most peculiar ideas."
"No, no, my dear mother, it is you who have such ideas, without suspecting it. But, seriously, you can present me to Mlle. de Beaumesnil where you please, when you please, and as you please, either afoot or on horseback,--you are at liberty to choose, you see. But I will not have recourse to the fascinations of a jockey's costume. I don't need them,"
added Gerald, with a comical affectation of extreme complacency. "I shall dazzle and fascinate Mlle. de Beaumesnil by a host of admirable moral and conjugal qualities."
"Really, Gerald, you are incorrigible. You can not treat even the most important things seriously."
"What does that matter, provided the things are accomplished?"
The conversation between the duchess and her son was interrupted a second time by a valet who announced that the Baron de Ravil wished to see M. le duc on very important business, and that he was now waiting in the apartments of M. le duc.
"Very well," said Gerald, though he was greatly surprised at this visit.
After the valet withdrew, the duchess said to her son:
"What business can you have with M. de Ravil? I can not bear the man. He is received everywhere, though, and I must confess that I set the example as much as any one, without really knowing why I do it."
"The explanation is very simple. His father was a very popular man. He introduced his son into the same social circle in which he himself moved, and, once admitted, Ravil, the younger, continued to be received.
I, too, dislike him thoroughly. I have not seen him since the day of that strange duel between the marquis and M. de Mornand, and I have no idea what he can want with me. By the way, I heard an anecdote yesterday that shows his real character, perfectly. A poor fellow who is not very well off in this world's goods obligingly opened his purse to Ravil, and this is the way Ravil repaid him for his kindness: 'Where the devil did the fool steal that two hundred louis he loaned to me?' he exclaimed in the presence of a number of acquaintances afterward."
"How shameful!" cried the duchess.
"I will go and see what he has to say," remarked Gerald. "The man always seems to know everything that is going on. Wait for me, though, my dear mother. In a few minutes I may return as enthusiastic in regard to this cynical personage as you were exasperated against Macreuse."
"That is very ungenerous in you, Gerald."
"Well, at least admit that you and I are not very fortunate in our callers, this morning, my dear mother."
And M. de Senneterre hurried off to join the baron.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A PURELY BUSINESS TRANSACTION.
Gerald greeted M. de Ravil with a cold politeness which did not disconcert his guest in the least, however.
"To what am I to attribute the honour of your visit?" asked Gerald, dryly, without sitting down himself or requesting his visitor to be seated.
The baron, apparently entirely indifferent to this cool reception, replied:
"M. le duc, I came to call your attention to a very promising business matter."
"I am not in business."
"Would you like to marry, M. le duc?"
"Monsieur," said Gerald, haughtily, "this question--"
"Excuse me, M. le duc, I called here in your interest, and necessarily, also, in my own. Will you consequently have the kindness to listen to me? What do you risk by doing so? I ask only ten minutes."
"I am listening, monsieur," replied Gerald, whose curiosity had been aroused by the baron's question.
"I ask once more, then, M. le duc: 'Would you like to marry?' I must have a reply before continuing the conversation."
"But monsieur, I--"
"Pardon me, I did not make my question explicit enough. Would you like to make a fabulously rich marriage, M. le duc?"
"Has M. de Ravil any particular person in view?"
"Possibly."
"But you are a bachelor and a society man. Why do you not marry the lady yourself?"
"I have no fortune, monsieur; my name is comparatively insignificant; my appearance by no means prepossessing. In short, there isn't the slightest chance of my making such a marriage, so I thought of you, M.
le duc."
"I am greatly obliged to you for your generosity, monsieur, but before we go any further, permit me to ask you a rather delicate question. I would not like to wound your feelings, you know, but--"
"I'm not at all sensitive."
"I thought as much. Ah, well, what remuneration do you expect for your generous interest?"
"I ask one and a half per cent. of the dowry," answered the cynic, boldly.
And perceiving the disgust and contempt which his words had excited, the baron said, coolly:
"I thought I gave you clearly to understand that it was a purely business transaction."
"That is true, monsieur."
"Then what is the use of mincing matters?"
"None at all," replied Gerald, controlling himself; "so I will say very plainly that this charge of one and a half per cent. of the dowry seems to me quite reasonable."
"Yes, isn't it?"
"Certainly, but I must know to whom you think of marrying me, and how you will manage to bring the match about."
"You are very fond of hunting, I believe, M. le duc."