But you
know, the first thing is to engage Laurence's affections; her father
adores her, and would not, I am sure, give her to a man whom she
herself had not chosen."
"Don't disturb yourself," answered Hector, with a gesture of triumph,
"she will love me."
The next day he took occasion to encounter M. Courtois, who invited
him to dinner. The count employed all his practised seductions on
Laurence, which were so brilliant and able that they were well
fitted to surprise and dazzle a young girl. It was not long before
the count was the hero of the mayor's household. Nothing formal
had been said, nor any direct allusion or overture made; yet M.
Courtois was sure that Hector would some day ask his daughter's
hand, and that he should freely answer, "yes;" while he thought it
certain that Laurence would not say "no."
Bertha suspected nothing; she was now very much worried about Jenny,
and saw nothing else. Sauvresy, after spending an evening with the
count at the mayor's, during which Hector had not once quitted the
whist-table, decided to speak to his wife of the proposed marriage,
which he thought would give her an agreeable surprise.
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