I kissed the hand which she held out to me, and which indicated that my

presence was not wanted.

"Well, good night, old good-for-nothing!" she added, as she accompanied

me as far as the door of the adjoining room.

What passed after I left, none will ever know. My aunt, with her

exquisite tact, has only related to me the original and amusing side of

the matter, laughing at her unfortunate discovery in the lofty manner of

a noble lady who is smoothing over a family trouble. Apart from her very

genuine affection for my uncle, she entertains also a certain esteem for

him, which she could never depart from before his nephew.

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As for myself, I remained still in ignorance of everything until nine

o'clock, when the Pasha joined me again at the club, where he had

particularly asked me to wait for him.

At the first glance I guessed that there had been a row. Without saying

a word, he led me into a little detached room: there he fell into an

arm-chair, and shook his head in silence, as he looked at me.

"Good gracious! what's the matter, uncle?" I asked.

"Pfuiii!" he replied, staring with his full eyes, and prolonging this

kind of whistling exclamation, like a man who is breathing more freely

after a narrow escape.

His gestures were so eloquent, his sigh so expressive and so

reinvigorating, that I waited until he had given complete vent to it.

When I saw him quite exhausted by it, I continued, feeling really

anxious-"Come! what is it?"

"Oh, I've just had such a nasty turn!" he answered at last, "Pfuiii!"

I respected this new effort at relief, which, moreover set him right

this time.

"You've had some words with my aunt, I suppose?" I added, at a venture,

recollecting the cloud which seemed to hang over us at dinner.

"A regular earthquake!" he drawled out, in that appalling Marseilles

accent which he falls into whenever he is overcome by any strong

emotion. "Your aunt Eudoxia has discovered the whole bag of tricks! The

story of the Passy house, your aunt Gretchen, the children, Dirkie, and

the whole blessed shop!"

"But, perhaps she has only suspicions--the consequence of some gossip

she has heard?"

"Suspicions?" he exclaimed; "why, they have met each other!"

"Nonsense, that's impossible!--Are you really sure of this?"

"Tê! Sure indeed? I should think so! I return home to dinner, come

into the drawing-room, and I actually find them both there, talking

together. They were kissing each other!"




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