So sit down in peace. I will
tell you the situation."
Francine hesitated, then, reassured by the devotion he gave to his soup,
settled once more in her chair.
"Francine, I have made up my mind to one thing," said the Comte, filling
his glass with such energy that a red circle appeared on the cloth.
"This life I lead is all wrong. A man is a sociable being. He needs
society. Isolation sends him back to the brute."
"Oh, yes, M'sieur le Comte," said Francine, who understood nothing.
"So I am resolved to marry."
"M'sieur will marry!" cried Francine, who spilled half her soup with the
shock.
"Perfectly. It is for that I have asked you to keep me company."
"M'sieur--you--M'sieur wants to marry me!"
"Parbleu!"
"M'sieur--M'sieur wants to marry me!"
"I ask you formally to be my wife."
"I?"
"M'sieur wants--wants me to be Comtesse de Bonzag?"
"Immediately."
"Oh!"
Springing up, Francine stood a moment gazing at him in frightened
alarm; then, with a cry, she vanished heavily through the door.
"She has gone to Andoche," said the Comte, angrily to himself.
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