The lieutenant was a good-looking fellow of twenty-seven, or
thereabouts, with laughing eyes and a heavy mustache. He made a
great clanking with his spurs, and wore the somewhat theatrical
uniform of the 13th Hussars rather ostentatiously. He bowed to
Mademoiselle Marguerite with a smile that was too becoming to be
displeasing; and he offered her his arm with an air of triumph to
lead her to the dining-room, as soon as the servant came to
announce that "Madame la Comtesse was served."
Seated opposite to him at table, the young girl could not refrain
from furtively watching the man whom they wished to compel her to
marry. Never had she seen such intense self-complacency coupled
with such utter mediocrity. It was evident that he was doing his
best to produce a favorable impression; but as the dinner
progressed, his conversation became rather venturesome. He
gradually grew extremely animated; and three or four adventures of
garrison life which he persisted in relating despite his mother's
frowns, were calculated to convince his hearers that he was a
great favorite with the fair sex. It was the good cheer that
loosened his tongue. There could be no possible doubt on that
score; and, indeed, while drinking a glass of the Chateau Laroze,
to which Madame Leon had taken such a liking, he was indiscreet
enough to declare that if his mother had always kept house in this
fashion, he should have been inclined to ask for more frequent
leaves of absence.
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