Page 138 (2/2)

"Tire me? Why, don't you think I dine everyday?"

"I pro"

"I can tell you at once that I aain No, no, it shall never be said that you caes only to see me faint I count upon you and Mademoiselle Jeanne"

"On all three of us?"

"That makes three, with me; yes, sir"

"Excuse o and dine elsewhere"

"Come, come, Monsieur Mouillard; your nephew, your ward--"

"I ceased to be his guardian four years ago, and his uncle three weeks ago"

"He longs to put an end to this ill feeling--"

"Allow me to rest a little," said M Mouillard, "in order that I uests"

He lay down again, and showed clearly his intention of saying not another word on the subject

During the conversation between M Charnot and my uncle, to which we had listened from the foot of the staircase, Jeanne, who had aover the coht she had achieved, grew quite downhearted

"I thought he had forgiven you when he kissed me," she said "What can we do now? Can't you help us, Madeleine?"

Madeleine, whose heart was beginning to warht vainly for an expedient, and shook her head