"Very. I come in a direct line—so direct, my darling, you might think it was drawn by a ruler—a direct line from Joan of Arc."
"Is it true?" I cried.
"When we cross over to Dieppe, it isn't far to Rouen. You'd like to see Rouen?"
"Very much, indeed," I answered. "I always wanted to see Normandy; the home of my ancestors;" and I did feel a little elevated.
"It's very natural, Lotty"—said Fred. "A reasonable, yes, a very reasonable ambition. Well, at Rouen, I have no doubt I can show you my family tree; at the same time, I shouldn't wonder if we could obtain some further authentic intelligence about your pippin."—
"Nothing more likely," said I; for I did want to see France. "Nothing more likely."
"I'm afraid there's no regular packet across"—said Fred—"but we can hire a boat."—
"A boat? Why, my dear, a boat is"—
"Yes; in a nice trim sea-boat we can cross admirably; and, my love," said Fred, moving close and placing his arm about me—"my love, the matter grows upon me. Let us consider it. Here we are about to begin the world. In fact, I think I may say, we have begun it."—
"Mamma always said marriage wasn't beginning, but settling."