THE FRENCH GOVERNESS'S STORY
OF
SISTER ROSE.
PART FIRST.
CHAPTER I.
"Well, Monsieur Guillaume, what is the news this evening?"
"None that I know of, Monsieur Justin, except that Mademoiselle
Rose is to be married to-morrow."
"Much obliged, my respectable old friend, for so interesting and
unexpected a reply to my question. Considering that I am the
valet of Monsieur Danville, who plays the distinguished part of
bridegroom in the little wedding comedy to which you refer, I
think I may assure you, without offense, that your news is, so
far as I am concerned, of the stalest possible kind. Take a pinch
of snuff, Monsieur Guillaume, and excuse me if I inform you that
my question referred to public news, and not to the private
affairs of the two families whose household interests we have the
pleasure of promoting."
"I don't understand what you mean by such a phrase as promoting
household interests, Monsieur Justin. I am the servant of
Monsieur Louis Trudaine, who lives here with his sister,
Mademoiselle Rose. You are the servant of Monsieur Danville,
whose excellent mother has made up the match for him with my
young lady. As servants, both of us, the pleasantest news we can
have any concern with is news that is connected with the
happiness of our masters. I have nothing to do with public
affairs; and, being one of the old school, I make it my main
object in life to mind my own business.
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