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Mademoiselle, I have said, I am rejoiced that I have been the means of restoring to you your bird. She has thanked me with her eyes, and then with words also. I am bewitched. She is divine. I care not that my feet are cold. I could wish to stand there talking all night. She has given a cry of dismay. Your and! It is wounded! I look at my and. Yes, it is bleeding, where the bird ave bitten it. Tchut, mademoiselle, I have said. It is a bagatelle. But no. She is distressed. She is what your poet Scott ave said, a ministering angel thou. She ave torn her andkerchief and is binding up my wound. I am enchanted. Such beauty! Such kindness! Ardly can I resist to fall on my knees before er and declare my passion. We are twin souls. She has thanked me again. She has scolded the parrot. She has smiled upon me as she retires to her room. It is enough. Nothing is said, but I am a man of sensibility and discernment, and I understand that she will not be offended if I seek to renew our friendship on a more suitable occasion. The doors shut. The guests have returned to bed, the hotel servants to their duties. And I go back to my room. But not to sleep. It is very late, but I do not sleep. I lie awake and think of er. You will conceive, monsieur, with what mixed feelings I descend next morning. On the one and, I must keep the sharp look-out for my uncle, for im I must avoid till he shall havewhat do you say in your idiom? Yes, I have itsimmered down and tucked in his shirt. On the other and, I must watch for my lady of the parrot. I count the minutes till we shall meet again. I avoid my uncle with success, and I see er about the hour of déjeuner. She is talking to old gentleman. I have bowed. She have smiled and motioned me to approach. Father, she has said, this is the gentleman who caught Polly. We have shaken hands. He is indulgent papa. He has smiled and thanked me also. We have confided to each other our names. He is English. He owns much land in England. He has been staying in Paris. He is rich. His name is Enderson. He addresses his daughter, and calls her Marion. In my eart I also call her Marion. You will perceive that I am, as you say, pretty far gone. The hour of déjeuner has arrived. I entreat them to be my guests. I can run to it, you understand, for there are still in my pockets plenty of my uncles francs. They consent. I am in eaven. All is well. Our friendship has progressed with marvellous speed. The old gentleman and I are swiftly the dear old pals. I ave confided to im my dreams of artistic fame, and he has told me ow much he dislikes your Lloyd George. He has mentioned that he and Miss Marion depart for London that day. I am desolate. My face tumbles. He has observed my despair. He has invited me to visit them in London. Imagine my chagrin. To visit them in London is the one thing I desire to do. But how? I accept gratefully, but I ask myself how is it to be done? I am poor blighter with no profession and nine undred francs. He as taken it for granted that I am wealthy. What shall I do? I spend the afternoon trying to form a plan. And then I am resolved. I will go to my uncle and say: Uncle, I have the magnificent chance to marry the daughter of wealthy English landowner. Already I ave her gratitude. Soonfor I am young, andsome, debonairI shall ave her love. Give me one more chance, uncle. Be decent old buck, and put up the money for this affair. |
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