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THE SKJUTS-BOY. 257
prehend Borgenstierna’s manner of thinking and aeting, looked af
the politeness he was now showing him in the saine light as if it
was the submission of a chfld, who, in default of any other mode
of esc#ping the difficulty, gives way, fo shelter himself from the
storm; and that he entertained sueh an opinion, was elearly
proved by the tone he used in giving his answer.
"I do hot mean to say anything further than that, according
#o my opinion, if would hot become :M:r. Borgenstierna very
badly ff he possessed a title. A man who seeks the hand of a
noble lady must be able to offer ber a certain rank also, which
is not in too strong a contrast with the position in life which
she is about to relinquish."
"I thought so," was clearly to be read in Borgenstierna’s
dark brow, but his lips kept an obstinate silence, ttis breast
heaved with violent emotion, and a mass of thoughts filled his
brain; but as rapid as the flash of lightning crosses the black
sky, the clouds that overshadowed his countenance separated,
and a smfle of peculiar meaning passed over his lips.
In this smile there was something tha# again aroused the
lieutenant-colonel.
"Is there no possibility that my proposition will be accepted #."
asked he, impetuously.
"It will be difficult fo answer this question immediately,"
replied ]3orgenstierna. "I am ce#oEainly entitled fo add a title
fo my name–-that is due fo me by right, and to attaîn which, I
ïormerly strove; but. "
"Oh! dearest friend, that is just wha# I counted upon," said
the lieutenant-colonel, with ïamiliar frankness; "upon my honour,
I always thought that, under the simple name–Mr. Borgen-
stierna#nothlng behind, or nothing before i##there mus#
assuredly be concealed something mysterious. Young men are
hot seldom fond of oddities. Let me hear, let me laear !"
Tho lieutenant-colonel was highly pleased a# the thought of "
hcaring something new, and which would gratify hîs vanity.
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