lesome doctrine. Emotion is
particularly prejudicial to the animal economy. I thought the cultivated
taste which the de Fleurys so evidently possess might have some weight
with you. That dinner they gave us was unsurpassable, and"--

"If I am to marry to secure myself superlatively good dinners, I had
better unite myself to an accomplished cook at once," replied Bertha,
demurely.

"That's very tart, my dear. All acids disagree with me, and your
acidulated observations are giving me unpleasant premonitory symptoms."

Bertha noticed that the _bon vivant_ had in reality began to puff and
pant as though he were suffering from an incipient nightmare. Being so
thoroughly habituated to his idiosyncrasy that she had learned to regard
it leniently, she made an effort to recover her good humor, and
answered,--

"I know my kind uncle will not render me uncomfortable by pressing this
subject; but, in the most courteous manner, will let the Duke de
Montauban understand that I do not intend to marry at present."

"Make you uncomfortable," rejoined the marquis, struggling for breath;
"of course, I would not for the world! Do you take me for an old brute?
And I have just made arrangements to drive you to the _Bois de Boulogne_
and dine at Madrid's this evening. A pretty state you would be in to do
justice to a dinner which promises to place in jeopardy the laurels even
of M. de Fleury's cook."

"We will strike a bargain," returned Bertha, with her wonted gayety. "If
you will agree not to mention the Duke de Montauban, I will agree to do
justice to the dinner at Madrid's."

"I am content; we will drop the duke and discuss the dinner."

The attentions of Madame de Fleury's brother to the heiress had been too
marked and open for his suit and its rejection to remain a secret.
Gaston de Bois heard Bertha's refusal commented upon, and there was a
buzz in his ears of idle speculations concerning the origin of her
caprice. Was it some blissful, internal suggestion, which diffused such
a glow of happiness over his expressive countenance when he next saw
Bertha? Was it some hitherto uncertain ground of encouragement made sure
beneath his feet, which so wondrously loosened his tongue from its dire
bondage? Was it some aerial hope, taking tangible shape, which imparted
such an air of ease and elation to his demeanor? Gaston stammered less
every day,--his impediment disappearing as his self-possession
increased. On this occasion he was onl