I had not long to wait for that matter. Two days after, while I was in my room, I saw a carriage drive up. Its only occupant was a lady, who seemed to me to be very handsome and very elegantly dressed. On the box, by the coachman's side, sat a lady's maid; behind were two men-servants of superior style in their travelling livery. The carriage stopped. At the sound of the wheels on the gravel, my uncle's window opened.
"Hoi! is that you?" he shouted. "How are you, my dear!"
"How are you, captain!" replied the lady. "You see you have not been forgotten, you ungrateful wretch!"
"Thanks for that. Nor am I any more forgetful on my side."
"That's all right," replied the lady; "but why don't you come down and give me a hand? You're very gallant!"
"Well, my dear, I'm coming as fast as I can!" said my uncle.
I must confess I still remained somewhat puzzled at the sight of this fair traveller, whose appearance did not recall to me any of my aunts. Could Barbassou-Pasha have contracted another marriage since the date of his will? Out of delicacy I kept out of the way, in order not to disturb their affectionate greetings, but as my uncle passed my door on his way out, he said to me,
"André, aren't you coming?" I followed him. We arrived just as the lady was stepping briskly up the doorsteps.
"Too late, captain!" she said, "I could not stay there, penned up in that carriage."
This reproach did not prevent them from shaking hands very heartily. Then as I came up, my uncle said in his quick way,