increased by twenty thousand francs a year in consequence of the Act
of Indemnity, and a man of seventy, feeling himself privileged to say
hard things to his grand-niece, on whom he doted, in order to mollify
the bitter tone of the discussion now exclaimed:

"Do not tease my poor little Emilie; don't you see she is waiting till
the Duc de Bordeaux comes of age!"

The old man's pleasantry was received with general laughter.

"Take care I don't marry you, old fool!" replied the young girl, whose
last words were happily drowned in the noise.

"My dear children," said Madame de Fontaine, to soften this saucy
retort, "Emilie, like you, will take no advice but her mother's."

"Bless me! I shall take no advice but my own in a matter which
concerns no one but myself," said Mademoiselle de Fontaine very
distinctly.

At this all eyes were turned to the head of the family. Every one
seemed anxious as to what he would do to assert his dignity. The
venerable gentleman enjoyed much consideration, not only in the world;
happier than many fathers, he was also appreciated by his family, all
its members having a just esteem for the solid qualities by which he
had been able to make their fortunes. Hence he was treated with the
deep respect which is shown by English families, and some aristocratic
houses on the continent, to the living representatives of an ancient
pedigree. Deep silence had fallen; and the guests looked alternately
from the spoilt girl's proud and sulky pout to the severe faces of