His gratitude to me, and a sort of frank admiration of superior

qualities, which he fancies he recognises in me, have won for me his

friendship. I have quite become "his guide, philosopher, and friend." I

find him a capital companion, and, like some modern Damon and Pythias,

we hardly pass a day without seeing one another. At first he was rather

surprised that I abstained from the promiscuous pleasures of the gay

world; but he soon divined that I was restrained by the spell of a

secret passion, and this placed me still higher in his estimation.

I gained credit with Kiusko by taking him into my confidence, and

telling him that I had in truth a liaison with a young widow, whose

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high position in society demanded extreme prudence on my part. With the

tact of a thorough-bred gentleman, he never referred to the subject

again. Being himself associated with us in our relations with the

Montagues, through meeting them at my aunt's, he would never dream of my

having any attachment in that quarter; indeed, he was now almost on an

equal footing of friendship with me in our intercourse with the fair

trio, and was spoken of as one of their "tame cats." Such was the

position of things when the following event occurred.

It happened a few days ago. I was in my aunt's boudoir, talking about

some matter, which I forget; she was knitting away at a little piece of

ornamental work, with her usual business-like industry, and I was

playing with her dog "Music," a young animal from Greece.

"By the bye, André," she said, "I have an important commission to

discharge, concerning which I must consult you."

"All my wisdom is at your service, aunt."

"Let us talk seriously," she continued; "you have to undergo a regular

cross-examination, and I command you to reply like an obedient nephew."

"Oh, you frighten me!"

"Don't interrupt me, please. In my person you see before you a family

council."

"What, all at once, and without any preparation?--without even changing

your dress?"

"You impertinent boy, do you mean to say this does not suit me?"

"On the contrary, I find it quite bewitching."

"Well, then?"

"All right, I ought not to have interrupted you."

"Very well! let us resume--let me see, what was I saying?"

"That in that handsome dark violet velvet dress you represent the

grandmother of the family."




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