"You know very well," she again interposed, "that I promised him
nothing."

"Strictly speaking, I admit; but you requested me to tell him that
you found him too young. He has laboured conscientiously since then to
correct that fault." Then playfully pinching her cheeks, he added: "You
are a great girl for objections. Soon you will be twenty-five years
old, and you have refused five eligible offers. Have you taken a vow to
remain unmarried?"

"Ah! you have no mercy," she cried. "What! you cannot even spare me on
the Albula! You know that, of all subjects of conversation, I have most
antipathy for this."

"Come, come; you are slandering me now, my child. I spoke to you of
Camille as I might have spoken of the King of Prussia; and you rose in
arms at once, taking it wholly to yourself."

Antoinette was silent for some moments.

"Decidedly, you are very fond of Camille," she presently said.

"Of all the sons-in-law you could propose to me----"

"But I do not propose any."

"That is precisely what I find fault with."

"Very good; since you think so much of him, this Camille, suppose you
command me to marry him?"