n Grandmamma must have betrayed them.
And the culprit comes forward smiling to meet the reproachful glances
that are turned in her direction.

"Yes, my dears, I did. The secret was too heavy. I could not keep it all
by myself. And then father is so dear, one cannot conceal anything from
him."

As she says this, she leaps on the little man's neck, but it is large
enough for two, and when Mademoiselle Elise takes refuge there in her
turn, there is an affectionate, fatherly hand extended to him whom M.
Joyeuse looks upon thenceforth as his son.

Silent embraces, long searching glances, melting or passionate, blissful
moments which one would like to detain forever by the tips of their
fragile wings! They talk, they laugh softly as they recall certain
incidents. M. Joyeuse tells how the secret was revealed to him at first
by rapping spirits, one day when he was alone in Andre's room. "How is
business, Monsieur Maranne?" the spirits inquired, and he answered in
Maranne's absence: "Not so bad for the season, Messieurs Spirits." You
should see the mischievous air with which the little man repeats: "Not
so bad for the season," while Mademoiselle Elise, sadly confused at the
thought that it was her father with whom she was corresponding that day,
disappears beneath her flaxen curls.

After the first excitement has passed and their voices are steady once
more, they talk more seriously. It is certain that Madame Joyeuse, _nee_
de Saint-Amand, would never have consented to the marriage. Andre
Maranne is not rich, far less of noble blood; but luckily the old
book-keeper has not the same ideas of grandeur that his wife had. They
love each other, they are young, healthy and virtuous, qualities which
constitute a handsome dowry and one which the notary will not make a
heavy charge for recording. The new household will take up its abode on
the floor above. They will continue the photographing business unless
the receipts from _Revolte_ are enormous. (The _Imaginaire_ can be
trusted to attend to that.) In any event, the father will be always at
hand, he has a good place with his broker and some expert work at the
Palais de Justice; if the small vessel sails always in the wake of the
larger one, all will go well, with the help of the waves, the wind and
the stars.

A single question disturbs M. Joyeuse: "Will Andre's parents consent to
this marriage? How can Dr. Jenkins, rich and famous as he is--"

"Let us not speak of that man," e