Page:Stories by Foreign Authors (French III).djvu/146

136 young; we look happy because we love one another; but I have many a miserable moment when I think of the future, and I know not what will become of my poor Laura.' And he again pressed the head of his young wife to his bosom.

"'That was what I ought to say to the captain,' added he, 'was it not, my child? You would have said the same thing, would n't you?'

"I took my pipe, and rose, because I felt that my eyes were becoming somewhat moist, and that does n't become me very well.

"'Come, come,' said I, 'this will all clear up by and by; if the smoke of my pipe incommodes madame, she must go away.'

"She raised her face all scarlet and wet with tears, like a child which has been scolded.

"'Besides,' said she, looking at my clock, 'you forget that there—the letter?'

"I felt something that struck home to me at these words—something like a sudden pain at the roots of my hair as she spoke.

" ' Pardieu! I did not think of that,' said I. 'This is a pretty piece of business, to be sure. If we had only crossed the first degree of north latitude, nothing would be left for me but to jump overboard. Can't I get tolerably happy, but this child here must remind me of that big scamp of a letter!'

"I looked quickly at my sea-chart, and when