But she finished her survey with a laugh.
"If they would only let us have less furniture!" she said.

"It was all very well as long as we had nothing better than tables and chairs to fill up the room with; but at present--" She finished her sentence with a little shrug, in imitation of Claudine, which made Maurice laugh also.

He proceeded, however, to warn her that worse was in reserve.
"Louisa will come alone, to-day," he said, "because I told her Mrs.
Costello was an invalid, but you must expect that next time she will bring her husband, and Sir John is no small person I assure you." "When did they arrive ?" "Last night." "How long will they stay, do you think ?" "Two or three weeks I imagine, but I know nothing positively of their plans." "And Maurice, tell me when you must go back to England?
I do not want our pleasant life to end just as suddenly as it began." "Nor do I.I am not going just yet." "But have not you quantities of affairs to attend to, you important person ?" "My most serious affair at present is in Paris.

Don't be afraid, I am not forgetting my duties." "Then we cannot go out to-day ?" "Put on your bonnet and come now for a walk." "I must ask mamma, and tell her your news.

She is late this morning." Mrs.Costello had risen late since she came to Paris.