Rosier as he sat there flushed with all
his recognitions. "But it's not about them, nor about yours, that I
came to talk to you."
He paused a moment and then, with greater softness: "I care more for
Miss Osmond than for all the bibelots in Europe!"
Madame Merle opened wide eyes. "Did you come to tell me that?"
"I came to ask your advice."
She looked at him with a friendly frown, stroking her chin with
her large white hand. "A man in love, you know, doesn't ask advice."
"Why not, if he's in a difficult position? That's often the case
with a man in love. I've been in love before, and I know. But never so
much as this time-really never so much. I should like particularly
to know what you think of my prospects. I'm afraid that for Mr. Osmond
I'm not-well, a real collector's piece."
"Do you wish me to intercede?" Madame Merle asked with her fine arms
folded and her handsome mouth drawn up to the left.
"If you could say a good word for me I should be greatly obliged.
There will be no use in my troubling Miss Osmond unless I have good
reason to believe her father will consent."
"You're very considerate; that's in your favour.
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