Marie is going to be married to Adrian Urmand?'

'What makes you ask?'

'I heard a report of it,' said George. 'Is it true?'

The father reflected a moment what answer he should give. It did
not seem to him that George spoke of such a marriage as though the
rumour of it had made him unhappy. The question had been asked
almost with indifference. And then the young man's manner to Marie,
and Marie's manner to him, during the last two days had made him
certain that he had been right in supposing that they had both
forgotten the little tenderness of a year ago. And Michel had
thoroughly made up his mind that it would be well that Marie should
marry Adrian. He believed that he had already vanquished Marie's
scruples. She had promised 'to try and think better of it,' before
George's return; and therefore was he not justified in regarding the
matter as almost settled? 'I think that they will be married,' said
he to his son.

'Then there is something in it?'

'O, yes; there is a great deal in it. Urmand is very eager for it,
and has asked me and her aunt, and we have consented.'

'But has he asked her?'

'Yes; he has done that too,' said Michel.

'And what answer did he get?'