Have you been ill ?" "So you remarked my absence! That is very flattering, my dear cousin; you do not often spoil me by such attentions.

No, I have not been ill, thank God, but I thought it better not to intrude upon you so often.

A friendly call now and then such as to-day's is what you like, is it not?
By the way, tell me about your handsome suitor, Maitre Quennebert; how is he getting along ?" "You look very knowing, Trumeau: have you heard of anything happening to him ?" "No, and I should be exceedingly sorry to hear that anything unpleasant had happened to him." "Now you are not saying what you think, you know you can't bear him." "Well, to speak the truth, I have no great reason to like him.

If it were not for him, I should perhaps have been happy to-day; my love might have moved your heart.

However, I have become resigned to my loss, and since your choice has fallen on him,"-- and here he sighed,--"well, all I can say is, I hope you may never regret it." "Many thanks for your goodwill, cousin; I am delighted to find you in such a benevolent mood.