THE WIDOWED WIFE. 



403 



though surprised spectators, of the passing scene), were standing he 

 took a hand of each, and, to an ordinary observer, gave each an equal 

 pressure, while his face beamed with unsuppressed joy. 



" Oh, my ill-used sister !" ejaculated Monsieur Claremont. 



" Come, come, this is very absurd ;" said Le Grande, " I wish you 

 all a very good morning it's quite impossible for me to stay here to 

 be taken for a ghost." 



" A ghost !" echoed a dozen voices. 



" Yes, a ghost Madame Delcourt thinks me a ghost therefore, 

 as I have no wish to interrupt the ceremony, I will take my leave. 

 Madame Delcourt will doubtless explain her reasons for forming that 

 opinion of me." 



" For heaven's sake, my dear uncle, do not go !" said Baptiste, in 

 alarm. 



" Go, young man, and console your bride for myself, my resolu- 

 tion is fixed ; I go and order my servants to prepare my carriage for 

 my instant departure. Good day to you all ; and so saying he 

 hurried into the house. Every body was for some time too much 

 surprised to speak, and the countenances of Baptiste, Lily, and 

 Antoinette bespoke their returning fears many sought from Ma- 

 dame Delcourt an explanation of Le Grande's words but she paid 

 no heed to them. 



" His carriage ! and was that beautiful carriage his ?" asked she 

 of Baptiste, who stood near her. 



" To be sure it was," answered he, t( and the lacqueys and the 

 horses all his as you seem to know him so well, you had better get 

 him to stop !" 



" I will I will I will implore him, as he loves me, to stop," she 

 exclaimed, half frantically. 



" Implore him ! Loves you !" cried Claremont, in indignation ; 

 tc however, without any imploring he shall not go he came here to 

 perform a certain office for me, and until that office is performed he 

 shall not quit this house I will oppose it !" , 



" And /." seconded Baptiste. 



" And I," faintly echoed Lily St. Aubert. 



" Then you had better make good haste," said Antoinette, " for see 

 yonder ! " as she spoke, and where she pointed, the carriage that had 

 brought Monsieur Le Grande was seen driving away. ft He is gone !" 

 and I am lost," were uttered in concert by the bride and bridegroom. 

 " You see Madame what you have clone," said Claremont ; " you 

 have driven away, by your unparalleled conduct, my dear brother- 

 in-law ! 



" A carriage ! four horses ! two lacqueys !" said Madame Del- 

 court without appearing to regard what her father-in-law was saying 

 to her " Why did'nt I wait ? why did I think of marrying him ? " 

 and the looked round scornfully at Baptiste. 



" Claremont, who stood near enough to hear this remark, and 

 whose whole thoughts were centered in the 3,000 francs, cared not 

 to remark upon it, but observed, in a most persuasive tone of voice, 

 " But you know, my dear Madame Delcourt, my brother-in-law is 

 a married man !" 



