"Mariette, did you steep them in gravy instead of soup-stock?
it is much richer." The chief-justice was not above entering the chamber of council where Mariette held court; he cast the eye of a gastronome around it, and offered the advice of a past master in cookery.
"Good-day, madame," said Josette to Madame Granson, who courted the maid.

"Mademoiselle has thought of you, and there's fish for dinner." As for the Chevalier de Valois, he remarked to Mariette, in the easy tone of a great seigneur who condescends to be familiar:-- "Well, my dear cordon-bleu, to whom I should give the cross of the Legion of honor, is there some little dainty for which I had better reserve myself ?" "Yes, yes, Monsieur de Valois,--a hare sent from Prebaudet; weighs fourteen pounds." Du Bousquier was not invited.

Mademoiselle Cormon, faithful to the system which we know of, treated that fifty-year-old suitor extremely ill, although she felt inexplicable sentiments towards him in the depths of her heart.

She had refused him; yet at times she repented; and a presentiment that she should yet marry him, together with a terror at the idea which prevented her from wishing for the marriage, assailed her.

Her mind, stimulated by these feelings, was much occupied by du Bousquier.