"Oh, I intend to make her my wife!"
"Then, why the mischief don't you tell her so?"
"That's precisely what I intend to do."
"Then embrace me!" exclaimed Balthazar, "and drink to the health of Cupid, for I, too, am going to get married!"
"I congratulate you, my boy; and who is the fortunate one?"
"And I am going to marry Mademoiselle Suzanne Van Miellis, the daughter of the rich banker," continued Balthazar, all in one breath.
Cornelius gave a low whistle, which, translated, means: the devil!
Balthazar continued:
"And just think of it—I have loved her for over six years! I never wanted to pop the question because I was afraid her father would tell me that it was his money and not his daughter that I was after. But my opportunity came at last. Her father died a short time ago, leaving her his sole heiress: she is one of the wealthiest girls in the town."
"The wealthiest by far," gravely interrupted Cornelius.
"One day as we were walking together by the river she stopped for a moment and looking into my eyes, she said: 'Now, my friend, I don't want you to bear me any ill-feeling for what I am going to say; but, since the death of my
