One evening, though invited to an early soirée and to a late ball, during dinner they changed their mind, and decided on going to the Opera at the very opening, to hear some favorite music which Geraldine very much admired. They had not yet risen from dessert when a note came from Alfred de Rougement, offering them his box, one of the best in the house!
"Why he is a regular Monte Christo," cried Mme Delisle impatiently. "How can he know our movements so well?"
"He must have bribed some one of the servants," replied Geraldine; "we talked just now of where we were going before they left the room."
"But what does he mean?" said Mme Delisle. "Is he going to give up his enmity to marriage, and propose for you!"
"I don't know, mamma," exclaimed the daughter, coloring very much; "but he may spare himself the trouble."
"Geraldine--Geraldine! you will always then make me unhappy!" said her mother, shaking her head.
"But you can not want me to marry Alfred? You told me every thing against him yourself."
"But if he is going to marry and be steady, I owe him an apology. But go and dress; you want to hear the overture."
They went to Alfred's box--father, mother, and daughter. But though in the house, he scarcely came near them. He came in to inquire after their health, claimed Geraldine's hand for the opening quadrille at the soirée to which they were going after the opera, and went away. The young girl rather haughtily accepted his offer, and then turned round to attend to the music and singing.
Next day, to the astonishment of both M. and Mme Delisle, Alfred de Rougement proposed for the hand of their daughter, expressing the warmest admiration for her, and declaring with earnestness that the happiness of his whole life depended on her decision. Geraldine was referred to. She at once refused him, giving no reason, but expressing regret that she could not share his sentiments. The young man cast one look of reproach at her, rose, and went away without a word. When he was gone she explained to her parents, that though in time she thought she should have liked him, she did not admire his mode of paying his addresses; she thought he ought to have spoken to her first. Mme Delisle replied, that she now very much admired him, and liked his straightforward manner; but Geraldine stopped the conversation by reminding her that he was rejected, and that all discussion was now useless.