"You understand, my friend," he resumed, "that I will spare you all insignificant details, which, however, add their own weight to the rest.

I am only going to deal with the more important facts, treating directly of the affair." Old Tabaret nestled in his arm-chair, burning with curiosity; his face and his eyes expressing the most anxious attention.

After a selection, which he was some time in making, the advocate opened a letter, and commenced reading in a voice which trembled at times, in spite of his efforts to render it calm.
"'My dearly loved Valerie,'-- "Valerie," said he, "is Madame Gerdy." "I know, I know.

Do not interrupt yourself." Noel then resumed.
"'My dearly loved Valerie, "'This is a happy day.

This morning I received your darling letter, I have covered it with kisses, I have re-read it a hundred times; and now it has gone to join the others here upon my heart.