continued Madame Faragon, 'it is quite true--on the 15th of October.
I suppose you will be going over to the wedding.' This she said in
her usual whining tone of small complaint, signifying thereby how
great would be the grievance to herself to be left alone at that
special time.

'I shall not go to the wedding,' said George. 'They can be married,
if they are to be married, without me.'

'They are to be married; you may be quite sure of that.' Madame
Faragon's grievance now consisted in the amount of doubt which was
being thrown on the tidings which had been sent direct to her. 'Of
course you will choose to have a doubt, because it is I who tell
you.'

'I do not doubt it at all. I think it is very likely. I was well
aware before that my father wished it.'

'Of course he would wish it, George. How should he not wish it?
Marie Bromar never had a franc of her own in her life, and it is not
to be expected that he, with a family of young children at his
heels, is to give her a dot.'

'He will give her something. He will treat her as though she were a
daughter.'

'Then I think he ought not. But your father was always a romantic,
headstrong man. At any rate, there she is,--bar-maid, as we may
say, in the hotel,--much the same as our Floschen here; and, of
course, such a marriage as this is a great thing; a very great