e and went out. Something
had just commenced, I think they called them congratulations, when the
crowd around the door began to huddle together in order to make room
for some person to enter. I looked up and saw Penoyer, his glittering
teeth now partially disclosed, looking a very little fiendish, I
thought. Carrie saw him, too, and instantly turned as white as the
satin dress she wore, while Agnes, who seemed to have some suspicion
of his errand, exclaimed, "Impudent scoundrel!" At the same time
advancing forward, she laid her hand upon his arm.

He shook it off lightly, saying, "_Pardonnez moi, ma chere_; I've no
come to trouble you." Then turning to Ashmore he said, pointing to
Carrie, "She be your wife, I take it?"

"Yes, sir," replied Ashmore haughtily. "Have you any objections? If so
they have come too late."

"Not von, not in the least, no sar," said the Frenchman, bowing nearly
to the floor. "It give me one grand plaisir; so now you will please
settle von leetle bill I have against her;" at the same time he drew
from his pocket a sheet of half-worn paper.

Carrie, who was leaning heavily against Mr. Ashmore instantly sprang
forward and endeavored to snatch the paper, saying half-imploringly,
"Don't, Penoyer, you know my father will pay it."

But Penoyer passed it to Mr. Ashmore, while Captain Howard, coming
forward, said, "Pay what? What is all this about?"

"Only a trifle," said Penoyer; "just a bill for giving your daughter
musique lessons three years in Albany."

"You give my daughter music lessons?" demanded Captain Howard.

"_Oui_, monsieur, I do that same thing," answered Penoyer.

"Oh, Carrie, Carrie," said Captain Howard, in his surprise forgetting
the time and place, "why did you tell me that your knowledge of music
you acquired yourself, with the assistance of your cousin, and a
little help from her music teacher; and why, when this man was here a
few months ago, did you not tell me he was your music teacher and had
not been paid?"

Bursting into tears Carrie answered, "Forgive me, father, but he said
he had no bill against me; he made no charge."

"But she gave me von big, large mitten," said the Frenchman, "when she
see this man, who has more l'argent; but no difference, no difference,
sar, this gentleman," bowing toward Ashmore, "parfaitement delighted
to pay it."

Whether he were delighted or not, he did pay it, for drawing from his
pocket his purse, while his large black eyes emitte