The four children were placed between
these personages, on whom Madame de Florac looked with her tender
glances, and to whose little wants the kindest of hosts ministered with
uncommon good-nature and affection. He was very soft-hearted about
children. "Pourquoi n'en avons-nous pas, Jeanne? He! quoi n'en avons-nous
pas?" he said, addressing his wife by her Christian name. The poor little
lady looked kindly at her husband, and then gave a sigh, and turned and
heaped cake upon the plate of the child next to her. No mamma or Aunt
Ethel could interpose. It was a very light wholesome cake. Brown made it
on purpose for the children, "the little darlings!" cries the Princess.
The children were very happy at being allowed to sit up so late to
dinner, at all the kindly amusements of the day, at the holly and
mistletoe clustering round the lamps--the mistletoe, under which the
gallant Florac, skilled in all British usages, vowed he would have his
privilege. But the mistletoe was clustered round the lamp, the lamp was
over the centre of the great round table--the innocent gratification
which he proposed to himself was denied to M.
Pages:
1762
1763
1764
1765
1766
1767
1768
1769
1770
1771
1772
1773
1774
1775
1776
1777
1778
1779
1780
1781
1782
1783
1784
1785
1786