Bacquiere and Van-Cuyp were naturally the first sufferers, and their charming wives made them understand, at intervals during the day, that they thoroughly despised them.

It was a bitter Sunday for those poor fellows.
The Tonnelier family also felt that little more was to be done there, and left the next morning with a very cold adieu.
The conduct of the Countess was more noble.

She declared she would wait upon her dearly beloved Charlotte from the altar to the very threshold of the nuptial chamber; that she would arrange her trousseau, and that the marriage should take place from her house.
"Deuce take me, my dear Countess!" cried the General, "I must declare one thing--you astonish me.

I was unjust, cruelly unjust, toward you.
I reproach myself, on my faith! I believed you worldly, interested, not open-hearted.

But you are none of these; you are an excellent woman--a heart of gold--a noble soul! My dear friend, you have found the best way to convert me.