"Are you struggling valiantly with your themes and your construing?
have you taken sharp hold of mathematics ?" Then he rose, and went up to the notary with the affectionate courtesy that characterized him.
"My dear Pierquin," he said, "perhaps you have something to say to me." He took his arm to lead him to the garden, adding, "Come and see my tulips." Madame Claes looked at her husband as he left the room, unable to repress the joy she felt in seeing him once more so young, so affable, so truly himself.

She rose, took her daughter round the waist and kissed her, exclaiming:-- "My dear Marguerite, my darling child! I love you better than ever to-day." "It is long since I have seen my father so kind," answered the young girl.
Lemulquinier announced dinner.

To prevent Pierquin from offering her his arm, Madame Claes took that of her husband and led the way into the next room, the whole family following.
The dining-room, whose ceiling was supported by beams and decorated with paintings cleaned and restored every year, was furnished with tall oaken side-boards and buffets, on whose shelves stood many a curious piece of family china.

The walls were hung with violet leather, on which designs of game and other hunting objects were stamped in gold.

Carefully arranged here and there above the shelves, shone the brilliant plumage of strange birds, and the lustre of rare shells.