eur, what expedients
a provident love can suggest."

"H--e--m!" said, very slowly, Monsieur Margot, by no means liking the
airy voyage imposed upon him; "but the rope may break, or your hand may
suffer it to slip."

"Feel the rope," cried the lady, "to satisfy you as to your first doubt;
and, as to the second, can you--can you imagine that my affections
would not make me twice as careful of your person as of my own. Fie!
ungrateful Monsieur Margot! fie!"

The melancholy chevalier cast a rueful look at the basket. "Madame,"
said he, "I own that I am very averse to the plan you propose: suffer
me to go down stairs in the ordinary way; your glove can be as easily
picked up whether your adorer goes out of the door or the window. It is
only, Madame, when ordinary means fail that we should have recourse to
the extraordinary."

"Begone, Sir!" exclaimed Mrs. Green; "begone! I now perceive that your
chivalry was only a pretence. Fool that I was to love you as I have
done--fool that I was to imagine a hero where I now find a--"

"Pause, Madame, I will obey you--my heart is firm--see that the rope
is--"

"Gallant Monsieur Margot!" cried the lady: and going to her
dressing-room, she called her woman to her assistance. The rope was
of the most unquestionable thickness, the basket of the most capacious
dimensions. The former was fastened to a strong hook--and the latter
lowered.

"I go, Madame," said Monsieur Margot, feeling the rope; "but it really
is a most dangerous exploit."

"Go, Monsieur! and the God of St. Louis befriend you!"

"Stop!" said Monsieur Margot, "let me fetch my coat: the night is cold,
and my dressing-gown thin."

"Nay, nay, my Chevalier," returned the dame, "I love you in that gown:
it gives you an air of grace and dignity, quite enchanting."

"It will give me my death of cold, Madame," said Monsieur Margot,
earnestly.

"Bah!" said the Englishwoman: "what knight ever feared cold? Besides,
you mistake; the night is warm, and you look so handsome in your gown."

"Do I!" said the vain Monsieur Margot, with an iron expression of
satisfaction; "if that is the case, I will mind it less; but may I
return by the door?"

"Yes," replied the lady; "you see that I do not require too much from
your devotion--enter."

"Behold me!" said the French master, inserting his body into the basket,
which immediately began to descend.

The hour and the police of course made the street empty; the lady's
handkerchie