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When he was descending the stairway, in his fur-coat and hat, he heard the rustle of silk garments on the first landing, and a rather loud conversation in English. He recognized the voices of his elder daughter and Baron Emil; but he saw Malvina first; she was in front of the young couple.
"At that time the rascal possessed something like eighteen hundred thousand francs; money must have weighted very little with him in the question of marriage; and he had not merely been proof against Malvina, he had resisted the Barons de Nucingen and de Rastignac; though both of them had set him galloping at the rate of seventy-five leagues a day, with outriders, regardless of expense, through mazes of their cunning devices and with never a clue of thread.
Alva was their one child. She had been christened Malvina, after Joe's mother; but when the Balls "blossomed out" they renamed her Alva, which they somehow had got the impression was "smarter." At Joe's blundering confession that the females of the family were in no condition to receive, Anita said to me in a low voice: "Let us go." I pretended not to hear. "Rout 'em out," said I to Joe.
Malvina on returning would be confronted by a pair of stern, unsympathetic boots. The corners of the fairy mouth would droop in lines suggestive of penitence and contrition. Had the Professor been firm she would have yielded. But from the black accusing boots the Professor could not keep his eyes from wandering to the guilty white feet, and at once in his heart becoming "counsel for the defence."
"It was in March these two strangers were here, you say, Malvina?" observed Mrs. Stanley. "Yes, ma'am; it was in March, when the roads were very bad." "What sort of looking persons were they, and how old should you have called them?" asked Hazlehurst.
"What trouble?" inquired Malvina, with alarm. "Father's opinions and mine may be in opposition." "In that case your opinion will yield." "I doubt that. I have my plans, my needs, my tastes; of these father can know nothing."
They were silent rather long; during this time Malvina raised her eyes to her daughter repeatedly, with the intent to say something, but she was unable, or at least she hesitated. At last she inquired in irresolute, almost timid, tones: "Irene, do you love him?" "Do I love the baron?" These words coming from the lips of the young girl expressed immense astonishment.
Malvina is always spoken of in connection with her." "What did she do?" inquired Commander Raffleton. They both of them seemed to be oblivious of Malvina's presence. "I forget for the moment," confessed the professor. "I must look it up. Something, if I remember rightly, in connection with the daughter of King Dancrat. He founded the Norman dynasty. William the Conqueror and all that lot.
"We shall remain at home," answered Malvina. "How is that? but the party at Prince and Princess Zeno's!" "We had no intention " said Malvina, in an attempt at self-defence; but she saw the look of her husband, and the voice broke in her throat. "You and your daughter will go to that party," said he, with a low whisper, which hissed from his lips.
I should very much like to know whether I am a second shift, and whether marriage is a matter of money with him. The fact was that Desroches, deep as he was, could not make out du Tillet, and was afraid that he might marry Malvina. So the fellow had secured his retreat. His position was intolerable, he was scarcely paying his expenses and interest on the debt.
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