The Pension Beaurepas

e of days later. "And she has asked for a new tapis de lit, and she has requested me to provide Celestine with

ting," I said, "but she

ive francs and a half

e. I don't l

o you call M

"c'est une de ces mamans comme vous

her daughter? I don't th

it very quietly. She doesn't want an American; she wants a foreigner. And she wants a mar

gistr

some kind; a profe

or the poor girl,"

her too much; sh

I exclaimed. "She'

y grin. "She has hooked you, eh

is a little odd. It's a necessity of her position. She is less submissive to her mother

from her mother," cont

to courir

o to America, he

nd she will c

so!" I r

e will go off with a young man;

!" said I, w

my cynical hostess. "I have kept a boarding-h

as that happened c

appen here. It will be at the next place they go to, or the next. Besides, here there is no young

e," I answered. "It's thanks to th

view, the promenade is overlooked by a row of tall, sober-faced hotels, the dwellings of the local aristocracy. I was very fond of the place, and often resorted to it to stimulate my sense of the picturesque. Presently, as I lingered there on this occasion, I became aware that a gentleman was seated not far from where I stood, with his back to the Alpine chain, which this morning was brilliant and distinct, and a newspaper, unfolded, in his lap. He was not reading, however; he was staring before him in gloomy contemplation. I don't know whether I recognised first the newspaper or its proprieto

ful view of the

Fine thing, in its way-fine thing. Beauties of nature-t

then, have b

eep saying I'm restless, but I'm as quiet as a sleeping child to th

y shoppi

k it a dead loss that we shouldn't see the cathedral, especially as we hadn't seen many yet. And I had to come up to the banker's any way. Well, we certainly saw the cathedral. I don't know as we are any the better for it, and I don't know as I should know it again. But we saw it, any way. I do

ld is full of go

it is. D-

I inquired, "

business. It's all gone to,"-and Mr. Ruck became profa

aven't injured

write and tell me-one of these days, when they've got nothing else to do. I didn't get a blessed letter this morning; I suppose they think I'm having such a good time over here it's a pity to disturb me. If

I said, "and I recommend you str

ure. Come," he went on, turning round on the bench and leaning his elbow on the parapet, "I'l

r wh

ls. Don't they run

to Grindelwald and Zermatt and fifty other pla

dden, somewhat imaginative, resolution not to "worry." He presently twisted himself about on his bench again and began to watch for his companions. "Well, they ARE walking round," he resumed; "I guess they've hit on something, somewhere. And they've got a carriage waiting outside of that archway too. They seem to do a big business in archways here, don't they. They like to have a carriage to carry home the things-those

ed at her, in silence, through narrowed eyelids, and I suspected that this g

me with her little s

ve been more proper if

er us, instead of sitti

k's com

in sacred rites." Miss Ruck was not gracious, though I doubt wh

as ladies' society," replied Miss Ruck, in the man

. "Well, I must say, we didn't go back there. I don't k

e-shop," observed the young girl, with

n turned about again, leaning on the

heap," said Mrs. Ruck, al

d her husband. "You haven't any

go somewhere," rejoined his wife. "I don't

s the great thing, with lace. I don't think they know how to wear lace in Eu

s a great deal of very new-looking detail in Miss Ruck's appearance. Then, in a tone of voice qu

enough for you to

fuss about that

lared the young girl wi

ave you got it in your pocket? Why don't you

U, if you don't look o

w it to this gentleman

talk about that l

There's every reason for i

what's the matter with yo

. "I never felt so quiet; I fee

humour, looked at her daughter and at me

his feet. "Don't hesitate, Sophy. I don't care

wed the ladies to the carriage. "In your place," said Miss Sophy to her f

chord. He coloured a little, and he was silent; his companions got into their vehicle, the front seat of which was adorned with a large parcel. Mr. Ruck gave the parce