“Tell me what has occurred since I went away, and how it happened that my daughter was placed in your charge.”
“Yes, we will tell you all about it,” said Marguerite. “But first—I say, Ernest, have you told him?”
Ernest smiled but said nothing.
“What is it?” I inquired.
“We are married!” cried Marguerite, jumping up and down on the bench. “It is all settled—three months ago. Ah! I am not afraid of his leaving me now; I am his wife.”
She ran to Ernest, took his head in her hands, and kissed him; he extricated himself, saying:
“Stop! you are rumpling my shirt.”
“You see, Monsieur Henri, he is less agreeable already!—Oh! I only said that in fun.”
“My dear friends, you have done well to be married, since that was your wish. I do not think that you will be any happier than you were, but I hope that you will be as happy. You have pledges of happiness.”
I kissed Marguerite and shook hands with Ernest, who said: