Perhaps it is because you've been my own in a way, but I don't see any girl like you round the country.' 'You shouldn't say such things to flatter me, Uncle Michel.' 'I choose to say what I please, and think what I please, about my own girl,' he said, with his arm close wound round her.

'I say it's a great match for Adrian Urmand, and I am quite sure that he will not contradict me.

He has had sense enough to know what sort of a young woman will make the best wife for him, and I respect him for it.

I shall always respect Adrian Urmand because he has known better than to take up with one of your town-bred girls, who never learn anything except how to flaunt about with as much finery on their backs as they can get their people to give them.

He might have had the pick of them at Basle,--or at Strasbourg either, for the matter of that; but he has thought my girl better than them all; and I love him for it--so I do.