The Golden Lion of Granpere

nd all within the house sat down together to supper. The supper was spread on a long table in the saloon up

she never failed to fill exactly three minutes after the bell had been rung. At her right hand was the chair of the master of the house,- never occupied by any one else;- but it would often happen that some business would keep him away. Since George had left him he had taken the timber into his own hands, and was accustomed to think and sometimes to say that the necessity was cruel on him. Below his chair and on the other side of Madame Voss there would generally be two or three places kept for guests who might be specially looked upon as the intimate friends of the mistress of the house; and at the farther end of the table, close to the window, was the space allotted to travellers. Here the

ys a real dinner was served in the room up-stairs, with soup, and removes, and entrees and the roti, all in the right place,- which showed that they knew what a dinner was at the Lion d'Or;- but, throughout the week, supper was the meal of the day. After M. Goudin, on this occasion, there came two maiden ladies from Epinal who were lodging at Granpere for change of air. They seated themselves near to Madame Voss, but still leaving a place or two vacant. And presently at the bottom of the table there came an Englishman and his wife, who were travelling through the country; and so the table was made up. A lad of about fifteen, who was known in Granpere as the waiter at the Lion d'Or, looked after the two strangers and the young men, and Marie Bromar, who herself had arranged the board, stood at t

hand of Madame Voss, she simply bowed to him, saying some word of courtesy as Michel took his place on the other side. Then Marie dispensed two more portions of soup, and leaving one on the farthe

And in a moment or two Peter the wai

lle Marie sit down with

both her hands upon his head; and she would often stand so after the supper was commenced, only moving to attend upon him, or to supplement the services of Peter and the

Marie, to oblige me

d hovered round the two strangers at the end of the room. After supper Michel Voss and the young man - Adrian Urmand by name

a word

you know what I mean;- asked

ve never got an answer. And when I did ask her, sh

hat. When she is out with me on a Sunday afternoon she has chat enough. By St. James, she'll tal

doubt she

house better than any girl I

Madame Voss says that neither you n

t to lose her. Do you see how she comes to me and comforts me? But if it broke my heart, and broke the house too, I would not keep her here. It isn't fit. If you like her, and she can like

hirt-front and about his waistcoat. So at least said some of the young people of Granpere, where rings and gold studs are not so common as they are at Basle. But he was one who understood his business, and did not neglect it; he had money

speak to me just now,' s

y it, or shall I d

imself. So he declined the innkeeper's offer, at any rate for the present occasion. '

ndlord. And then they finis

ed himself at the window of her little bar, he found that Peter was with her, and she managed to keep Peter with her till Adrian was gone. And again, when he hoped to find her alone for a few moments after the work of the day was over in the small par

er his business and managed to get back to the inn early in the afternoon. From six till eight he well knew that Marie would allow nothing to impede her in the grand work of preparing for supper; but at four o'clock she would certainly be sitting somewhere about the house with her needle in her hand. At four o'clock he

le tomorrow,' said he, as soon as she had looked round at the

bought your goods

buy well; but there is not an old woman now in Alsace who doesn't know as well as I do, or better,

e dearer than they were. It is well that

market to their doors.' Then he began to remember that he had no special object in discussing the circumstances of his trad

was silent. 'And then the poor people, who have to pay so dear for everything!' She was

I wanted to say to you, Mari

d Marie, knowing tha

. I need not tell you now that I love you, need I,

encourage him to tell her, but simply saying

good, and how clever; but I do not think that anybody loves you better than I do. Can you say that you will love me, Marie? Your uncle approve

at, M. Urmand,' she said,

answer. Can you

ly whispering the wo

that to

ore can

and your aunt. Dear Marie,

en they are forbidden. Of course I know that uncle wishes it. And he is very good;- and so

u. If you knew what I th

ut

before you give me an answer that sha

almost burn myself in the

does wis

this even becau

not,

o not wish to leave the hote

will certainly be

ome girls never get married. I am

cause you can

one, not in that way. I must go away no

d spoke no farther word of l

n he heard his young friend's story that evening, seated aga

of no use,'

words with her. She does not quite understand as yet that she must make her hay while the sun shines. Some of 'em are all in a hurry to get married, and some of 'em again are all for

he uncle from speaking his mind to the niece. One little suggestion he did make before he took his departure. 'It can't be, I suppose, that there is any one else tha

fied in shaking his head, but would not be so false as to give in words the assurance which Adrian had asked. That night he discussed the matter w

ery well,' sai

ousand francs, and is as steady at his

s a d

is nothing!'

too fond

e,' said Michel. 'His wife and

and grand objection to the match. 'It is my belief,

for George is not thinking of her.' He said nothing farther