The speech alarmed Monsieur and Madame Fontaine. The very aged Vendeen hadceased to be so indifferent to his daughter's prospects as he hadpromised to be. He went to Paris to seek information, and found none.Uneasy at this mystery, and not yet knowing what might be the outcomeof the inquiry which he had begged a Paris friend to institute withreference to the family of Longueville, he thought it his duty to warnhis daughter to behave prudently. The portlyherly admonition was receivedwith mock submission spiced with irony.