suggested that he call the latter over, declaring that she had not seen him for an age, and always did love him infiniment!
It needed but this to overcome De Cheville's wavering resolution; and when the pair came to the gate and beckoned him across, the alacrity with which he obeyed the summons but faintly evinced his pleasure. He might not see Marie; but even to stand at the threshold of her residence was a happiness not to be foregone.
His foot had hardly passed the gateway when the little widow almost overwhelmed him with voluble questions and congratulations upon his recovery.
"Blood-letting must agree with me," he said, with a smile, "if your compliments are as true as they would be addressed to yourself."
Monsieur Maillefert grasped his hand cordially.
"Mon ami," he cried, "you speak true—vary—Eh? Madame is my vife, sare—dat is—vary soon!"
"Why! listen to the crazy little man!" exclaimed the merry widow, with a twinkle in her bright black eye, which contradicted her denial. "I assure you I have just rejected him tout de bon!"
"Call me as a witness against her!" suddenly cried Marie Lefrette, springing, with a laugh, from the shelter of some shrubbery, toward which De Cheville's back had been turned. She had mistaken him for some one else, through the leafy screen; and was now advancing with a quick step and smiling face, when he suddenly turned toward her. An exclamation of surprise, and a blush to the very temples, accompanied the recognition. She hastily paused, and seemed about to fly, when De Cheville advanced, and, with an eager, though respectful gesture, took her hand.
"You seem surprised to see me," said he, in a low tone, "and perhaps I ought to apologize for the intrusion; but———"
"Oh! no, indeed!" she interrupted, eagerly.
"Oh! no, indeed!" repeated her aunt, laughing; "she is only a little vexed because you did not come sooner!"
"Aunt Dupley," said Marie, recovering her self-possession, and shaking her finger playfully at the merry little bride-expectant, "would you like to have me tell what I saw in the parlor half an hour ago?"
