Volume V Part 13 (2/2)

The dinner was delicious, and passed off h I laughed to ht to be sad because I did not talk inreally sad that was one of the happiestwas absorbed in the calood action I was the author of the co I was pleased with the thought that ood than for ill, and though I was not born a king yet I contrived to make many people happy Everyone at table was indebted to me for some part of their happiness, and the father, the ht made me feel a peaceful calm which I could only enjoy in silence

Mdlle Crosin returned to Marseilles with her father, her mother, and her future husband, whom the father wished to take up his abode with them I went back with Madahtful Marcoline to sup with her

Theman's father, in answer to one froranted that ere all asked to the wedding, and Marcoline's affection for me increased every day

When ent to sup with Mada wine merchant at her house He sat beside Marcoline, who entertained hi man could speak Italian, and even the Venetian dialect (for he had spent a year at Venice), he was much impressed by the charms of my new niece

I have always been jealous of ive theenerous feeling For theMadahted to hear that he had an excellent reputation, a hundred thousand crowns, a large business, and complete independence

The next day he came to see us in our box at the theatre, and Marcoline received hi to push the matter on I asked him to sup with us, and when he caence; to Marcoline he was tender but respectful On his departure I told hiain, and ere alone I congratulated Marcoline on her conquest, and shewed her that she ht succeed alrateful she was furiously, angry

”If you want to get rid of me,” said she, ”send ”

”Calet rid of you? What an idea! Has my behaviour led you to suppose that you are inman has come under my notice I see he loves you and you like him, and as I love you and wish to see you sheltered fro Frenchman would es, but instead of being grateful you scold rievebecause you think that I can love hiht be so, dearest, and withoutany hurt; but let us say no ed to s wine ain, but the scene had changed; she was polite but reserved, and I dared not ask hiot ho that she had been afraid I would

”What you said last night is a sufficient guide forMadame Audibert called on behalf of the wine merchant to ask us to sup with hihts she hastened to reply that she would be happy to go anywhere in company with Mada, and took us to the young nificent supper, but no other guests awaiting us The house was luxuriously furnished, it only lacked a mistress The master divided his attention between the two ladies, and Marcoline looked ravishi+ng Everything convincedwine merchant

The next day I received a note fro ive e of Marcoline with her friend

”The proposal is a very agreeable one to ive her thirty thousand francs as a dowry, but I can have nothing to do with the matter personally I will send her to you; and if you can win her over youon ”

”I will come for her, and if you like she shall dine with ”

Mada day, and Marcoline went to dinner with her I called for her at five o'clock, and finding her looking pleased and happy I did not knohat to think As Madame Audibert did not take me aside I stifled my curiosity and ith Marcoline to the theatre, without knohat had passed

On the way Marcoline sang the praises of Madame Audibert, but did not say a word of the proposal she must have ht I saw the explanation of the riddle, for the young h there were two empty places

We returned home without a word about the merchant or Madame Audibert, but as I knew in rateful, and I saw that Marcoline was overjoyed to find me more affectionate than ever At last, a how dearly I loved her, told me what had passed between her and Madame Audibert

”She spoke to me so kindly and so sensibly,” said she, ”but I contentedthat I would never marry till you told me to do so

All the same I thank you with all ive me You have tossed the ball to o back to Venice whenever you please if you will not take land with you, but I will never entleht have loved him”

It was evidently all over, and I liked her for the part she had taken, for aat the feet of an obdurate lady

The wedding-day of my late niece came round Marcoline was there, without diamonds, but clad in a rich dress which set off her beauty and satisfied my vanity