400 THE WIDOWED WIFE. 



" Little Francois,, I mean." 



" Oh ! little Francois ? Why, he's quite well as lively as a shrimp 

 if you could but see the little fellow dancing about " 



" Dancing about !" observed Monsieur Claremont, in astonishment, 

 (t dear me ! he's very forward at two months !" 



" I don't mean you to think, my dear Claremont, that he literally 

 jumps about ! When I said dancing about, I meant dancing about, 

 you know you understand what I mean dancing about on in 



" Oh ! now I understand you I was thinking he was somewhat 

 unnaturally forward at two months." 



" Oh ! horrible unnaturally forward, as you say." 



" Poor little Francois ! Is he like you at all ?" 



" Why yes I think there is a something about the nose !" 



" Ah ! so my sister writes me I suppose you mean to execute the 

 settlement hey ?" 



I do ?" 



" Yes !" 



" To be sure I do !" 



" That's right " 



" But when am I to be introduced to your intended?" 



" My intended !" replied Monsieur Claremont, starting back a 

 good yard's distance in astonishment, " you mistake it's my son 

 who's going to be married." 



" Well ! I know I know I was going to say your intended 



daughter-in-law/' 



" Oh ! I beg your pardon. Oh ! I'll introduce you to her directly 

 this way this way. Oh !" continued Monsieur Claremont, stop- 

 ping short, " how very like you are to the picture my sister sent me 

 of you " 



" Ah ! it was done by a clever artist," and, so saying, they left the 

 room, and soon joined, upon the lawn, a party of about thirty people 

 (villagers) who had been bidden to the wedding. 



" Come, my friends," said Monsieur Claremont, addressing them, 

 " let me introduce you all to my very worthy and much esteemed 

 brother-in-law, Monsieur Le Grande." All seemed delighted at the 

 introduction. " Here, Antoinette," he continued, " run and tell your 

 aunt that my brother in law is waiting the pleasure of her company 

 oh ! here she comes." As he spoke, the figure of Madame Delcourt 

 was seen passing in the room before them. She presently joined the 

 party on the lawn, and Monsieur Claremont, leading his brother-in- 

 law, advanced to meet her. 



" My dear Madame, allow me to present my brother in law to 

 you ?" 



" I am delighted to have the pleasure but, good Heavens !" 



said she, looking earnestly at Monsieur Le Grande, " I do not know 

 _but " 



"I am delighted, Madame, at the introduction," said he, as if 

 endeavouring to remove the embarrassment under which she la- 

 boured. 



" Good God ! that voice" she continued, at the same time pressing 

 her hand to her forehead 



