de, his eyes reposing in Richling's.

Richling laughed outright.

"No, nothing of that kind. No, I"--

"Well, I'm ve'y glad," interrupted Narcisse.

"Oh, no, 'tisn't trouble at all! I've sent for Mrs. Richling. We're
going to resume housekeeping."

Narcisse gave a glad start, took his hat off, passed it to his left
hand, extended his right, bowed from the middle with princely grace,
and, with joy breaking all over his face, said:--

"Mistoo Itchlin, in fact,--shake!"

They shook.

"Yesseh--an' many 'appy 'eturn! I dunno if you kin billieve that, Mistoo
Itchlin; but I was juz about to 'ead that in yo' physio'nomie! Yesseh.
But, Mistoo Itchlin, when shall the happy o'casion take effect?"

"Pretty soon. Not as soon as I thought, for I got a despatch yesterday,
saying her mother is very ill, and of course I telegraphed her to stay
till her mother is at least convalescent. But I think that will be soon.
Her mother has had these attacks before. I have good hopes that before
long Mrs. Richling will actually be here."

Richling began to move away down the crowded market-house, but Narcisse
said:--

"Thass yo' di'ection? 'Tis the same, mine. We may accompany togetheh--if
you'll allow yo' 'umble suvvant?"

"Come along! You do me honor!" Richling laid his hand on Narcisse's
shoulder and they went at a gait quickened by the happy husband's
elation. Narcisse was very proud of the touch, and, as they began to
traverse the vegetable market, took the most populous arcade.

"Mistoo Itchlin," he began again, "I muz congwatu_late_ you! You know I
always admiah yo' lady to excess. But appopo of that news, I might
infawm you some intelligens consunning myseff."

"Good!" exclaimed Richling. "For it's good news, isn't it?"

"Yesseh,--as you may say,--yes. Faw in fact, Mistoo Itchlin, I 'ave ass
Dr. Seveeah to haugment me."

"Hurrah!" cried Richling. He coughed and laughed and moved aside to a
pillar and coughed, until people looked at him, and lifted his eyes,
tired but smiling, and, paying his compliments to the paroxysm in one or
two ill-wishes, wiped his eyes at last, and said:--

"And the Doctor augmented you?"

"Well, no, I can't say that--not p'ecisely."

"Why, what did he do?"

"Well, he 'efuse' me, in fact."

"Why--but that isn't good news, then."

Narcisse gave his head a bright, argumentative twitch.

"Yesseh. 'Tis t'ue he 'efuse'; but ad the same time--I dunno--I thing he
wasn' so mad about it as he ma