IV
The baron went into Jeanne’s room before she was up one morning soon after the christening of the boat, and sat down at the foot of the bed.
“M. le Vicomte de Lamare has proposed for you,” he said.
Jeanne would have liked to hide her head under the bed-clothes.
“We told him we must think over his proposal before we could give him an answer,” continued the baron, who was smiling. “We did not wish to arrange anything without first consulting you; your mother and I made no objection to the marriage, but at the same time we did not make any promise. You are a great deal richer than he is, but when the happiness of a life is at stake the question of money ought not to be considered. He has no relations, so if you married him we should gain a son, whereas if you married anyone else you wo
