But his methods of amusement were so dreaded by older persons that more than one family was very thankful to have him complete his studies and study law in Paris.

Desire Minoret, a slight youth, slender and fair like his mother, from whom he obtained his blue eyes and pale skin, smiled from the window on the crowd, and jumped lightly down to kiss his mother.

A short sketch of the young fellow will show how proud Zelie felt when she saw him.
He wore very elegant boots, trousers of white English drilling held under his feet by straps of varnished leather, a rich cravat, admirably put on and still more admirably fastened, a pretty fancy waistcoat, in the pocket of said waistcoat a flat watch, the chain of which hung down; and, finally, a short frock-coat of blue cloth, and a gray hat,--but his lack of the manner-born was shown in the gilt buttons of the waistcoat and the ring worn outside of his purple kid glove.

He carried a cane with a chased gold head.
"You are losing your watch," said his mother, kissing him.
"No, it is worn that way," he replied, letting his father hug him.
"Well, cousin, so we shall soon see you a lawyer ?" said Massin.
"I shall take the oaths at the beginning of next term," said Desire, returning the friendly nods he was receiving on all sides.
"Now we shall have some fun," said Goupil, shaking him by the hand.
"Ha! my old wag, so here you are!" replied Desire.
"You take your law license for all license," said Goupil, affronted by being treated so cavalierly in presence of others.
"You know my luggage," cried Desire to the red-faced old conductor of the diligence; "have it taken to the house." "The sweat is rolling off your horses," said Zelie sharply to the conductor; "you haven't common-sense to drive them in that way.

You are stupider than your own beasts." "But Monsieur Desire was in a hurry to get here to save you from anxiety," explained Cabirolle.
"But if there was no accident why risk killing the horses ?" she retorted.
The greetings of friends and acquaintances, the crowding of the young men around Desire, and the relating of the incidents of the journey took enough time for the mass to be concluded and the worshippers to issue from the church.