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"I quite understand why you ask, sir," said Eugenie, ht be seated, "and in fact your two questions suggest fully the theme of our conversation I will answer them both, and contrary to the usual method, the last first, because it is the least difficult I have chosen the drawing-rooreeable iilded cashbooks, drawers locked like gates of fortresses, heaps of bank-bills, come froland, Holland, Spain, India, China, and Peru, have generally a strange influence on a father's et that there is in the world an interest greater and ood opinion of his correspondents I have, therefore, chosen this drawing-roonificent frames, your portrait, mine,pastorals I rely ard to you, they are immaterial, but I should be no artist if I had not solars, who had listened to all this prea a word, since like every hts of the past, he was occupied with seeking the thread of his own ideas in those of the speaker

"There is, then, the second point cleared up, or nearly so," said Eugenie, without the least confusion, and with that esture and her language; "and you appear satisfied with the explanation Now, let us return to the first You ask me why I have requested this intervieill tell you in tords, sir; I will not lars leaped from his chair and raised his eyes and arenie, still quite calm; "you are astonished, I see; for since this little affair began, I have not htest opposition, and yet I am always sure, when the opportunity arrives, to oppose a determined and absolute will to people who have not consulted s which displease me However, this time, my tranquillity, or passiveness as philosophers say, proceeded from another source; it proceeded froht sirl), "to practice obedience"

"Well?" asked Danglars

"Well, sir," replied Eugenie, "I have tried to the very last and now that the moment has come, I feel in spite of all my efforts that it is impossible"