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The Ink Stain Rene Bazin 7610K 2023-09-02

The tomtit said: "Look out, old man, or she'll outwit you"

The blackbird said: "I have heard of her frorandfather, who lived in the Champs Elysees She was much admired there"

The s said: "Jeanne will have your heart in the time it takes me to fly round the lawn"

The rook, as a bit of a lawyer, ca: "Ca! Let her show cause--cause!"

And all took up the chorus: "If you had our eyes, Monsieur Mouillard, you would see her looking at your study; if you had our ears, you would hear her sigh; if you had our wings, you would fly to Jeanne"

No doubt it was this unwonted concert which attracted Madeleine's attention We saw herher way, stiffly and slowly, toward the study, which stood in the corner of the garden

M Mouillard's tall figure appeared on the threshold, filling up the entire doorway

"In the garden, did you say? Whatever is your idea in showing clients into the garden? Why did you let them in?"

"I didn't let them in; they came in of the is shut here I'll have the-rooentle lady whom you don't know--a judicial separation, I'll warrant--it's indecent, upon my word it is To think that there are people who co ladies with them!"

As Madeleine fled before the storm and found shelter in her kitchen, my uncle s touch of personal vanity--and started down the walk around the grass-plot

I effacedI was just behind him, stepped forith airy freedom

My uncle came down the path with a distracted air, like a man overwhelmed with business, only too pleased to snatch aclient He always loved to pass for being overwhelmed ork

On his way he flipped a rosebud covered with blight, kicked off a snail which was crawling on the path; then, halfway down the path, he suddenly raised his head and gave a look at his disturber

His bent brows grew smooth, his eyes round with the stress of surprise

"Is it possible? Monsieur Charnot of the Institute!"