“Not so safe as this hand is from my lips!” exclaimed François, suiting the action to the word and kneeling at her feet; “if Mademoiselle permit—”
“That she remind him of his promise not to show interested motives till her father be free,” cried Marguerite, interrupting him.
“Indeed, I had forgotten it!” said the page, laughing and springing to his feet; “but before I depart let me give proof of disinterestedness, at least to one of the household. Let Marie have this cargo of wafers, it will requite the alarm and may help to stop her mouth. The basket I shall want again.”
So saying, he upset the entire stock in trade on the table, and replacing the basket on his left arm, seized the hand-bell, which Marguerite construing into an intention of inflicting another serenade on the quiet household, cried,
“For my sake, Monsieur, forbear!”
“I can assure Mademoiselle I shall not be guilty a second time of such folly,” replied François, “but I was so delighted with the check given to Fontrailles!”
In place of the wafers, he took with him the packet, and the good wishes of her who had given it in charge.
BEAR ON!
Kind Nature hath a sympathizing tone