vement of her big, white hand, with the result that
Godfrey felt like a spring which had been suddenly released. Next
instant, still pursued by that gurgling laughter, he was running hard
towards the diligence.

Fortunately the Pasteur was so full of talk about the house and his
business with the notary, that there was no need for Godfrey to speak
in the coach, or indeed at dinner. Then after the meal was finished he
produced his presents, and with blushes and stammers offered them to
the various members of the family. What rapture there was! Madame was
delighted with her necklace, which she said and truly, was in the best
of taste. Juliette kissed the watch, and looked as though she would
like to kiss the donor, as indeed was her case. The Pasteur examined
the fine pipe through his blue spectacles, saying that never had he
expected to own one so beautiful, then at once filled it and began to
smoke. After this they all scolded him for his extravagance.

"You did not buy anything for yourself," said Juliette, reproachfully.
"Oh! yes, I see you did," and she pretended to perceive for the first
time the little red case containing the ring, which inadvertently he
had pulled out of his pocket with the other articles, although in truth
she had observed it from the beginning. "Let us learn what it is," she
went on, possessing herself of and opening the case. "Oh! a ring, what
a pretty ring, with two hearts. For whom is the ring, Monsieur Godfrey?
Someone in England?"

Then Godfrey, overcome, told a lie.

"No, for myself," he said.

Juliette looked at him and exclaimed:

"Then you should have told the jeweller to make it big enough. Try and
you will see."

He turned red as a boiled lobster. Mademoiselle stood opposite to him,
shaking her pretty head, and murmuring: "_Quel mensonge! Quel bete
mensonge!_" while Madame broke into a low and melodious laughter, and
as she laughed, looked first at the ring and then at Juliette's shapely
hand.

"Make not a mock of our young friend," said the Pasteur, suddenly
lifting his glance, or rather his spectacles from a long contemplation
of that noble pipe and becoming aware of what was passing. "We all have
our presents, which are magnificent. What then is our affair with the
ring? Pardon them, and put it in your pocket, Godfrey, and come, let us
go to the observatory, for the night is fine, and by now the stove will
be warm."

So they went, and soon were engaged in contemplation