among strange people in a strange
country."

The lad motioned to Harry to accompany him, and the three boys left
the room together.

"You can go to your gouvernante," the marquise said to the two
younger girls; and with a profound curtsy to her and another to the
marquis, they left the room. Unrestrained now by their presence,
the marquise turned to her husband with a merry laugh.

"But it is a bear you have brought home, Edouard, a veritable
bear--my fingers ache still--and he is to teach manners to my sons!
I always protested against the plan, but I did not think it would
be as bad as this. These islanders are savages."

The marquis smiled.

"He is a little gauche, but that will soon rub off. I like him,
Julie. Remember it was a difficult position for a boy. We did not
have him here to give polish to our sons. It may be that they have
even a little too much of this at present. The English are not
polished, everyone knows that, but they are manly and independent.
That boy bore himself well. He probably had never been in a room
like this in his life, he was ignorant of our language, alone among
strangers, but he was calm and self-possessed. I like the honest
straightforward look in his face. And look at the width of the
shoulders and the strength of his arms; why, he would break Ernest
across his knee, and the two boys must be about the same age."

"Oh, he has brute strength, I grant," the marquise said; "so have
the sons of our peasants; however, I do not want to find fault with
him, it is your hobby, or rather that of Auguste, who is, I think,
mad about these English; I will say nothing to prevent its having
a fair trial, only I hope it will not be necessary for me to give
him my hand again."

"I do not suppose it will until he leaves, Julie, and by that time,
no doubt, he will know what to do with it; but here is M. du Tillet
waiting all this time for you to speak to him."

"Pardon me, my good M. du Tillet," the marquise said. "In truth
that squeeze of my hand has driven all other matters from my mind.
How have you fared? This long journey with this English bear must
have been very tedious for you."

"Indeed, Madame la Marquise," M. du Tillet replied, "it has been no
hardship, the boy has amused me greatly; nay, more, he has pleased
me. We have been able to say little to each other, though, indeed,
he is quick and eager to learn, and will soon speak our language;
but his face has been a study. When he i