"I told you to place Suzette at the casement, to warn you when our visitors were in sight, so that you should, as was proper, be at the door to meet them.

I suppose, instead of that, you had the maid arranging your headgear, or some such worldly folly." The girl coloured hotly, for her father had hit upon the truth.
"Young people will be young people, Monsieur Bertram," Madame Vaillant said, smiling, "and my husband and I are not of those who think that it is necessary to carry a prim face, and to attire one's self in ugly garments, as a proof of religion.

Youth is the time for mirth and happiness, and nature teaches a maiden what is becoming to her; why then should we blame her for setting off the charms God has given her to their best advantage ?" By this time they had reached the upper storey, and the merchant's daughter hastened to relieve Madame Vaillant of her wraps.
"This is my nephew, of whom my husband wrote to you," the latter said to the merchant, when Philip entered the room--he having lingered at the door to pay the porters, and to see that the luggage, which had come up close behind them, was stored.
"He looks active and strong, madame.

He has the figure of a fine swordsman." "He has been well taught, and will do no discredit to our race, Monsieur Bertram.

His father is a strong and powerful man, even for an Englishman; and though Philip does not follow his figure, he has something of his strength." "They are wondrous strong, these Englishmen," the trader said.