Page:The Professor (1857 Volume 1).djvu/292

 "But—" (slowly and with embarrassment)—"my parents were not all the two Genevese."

"Say both, instead of 'all the two,' mademoiselle."

"Not both Swiss: my mother was English."

"Ah! and of English extraction?"

"Yes—her ancestors were all English."

"And your father?"

"He was Swiss."

"What besides? What was his profession?"

"Ecclesiastic—pastor—he had a church."

"Since your mother is an Englishwoman, why do you not speak English with more facility?"

"Maman est morte, il y a dix ans."

"And you do homage to her memory by forgetting her language. Have the goodness to put French out of your mind so long as I converse with you—keep to English."

"C'est si difficile, monsieur, quand on n'en a plus l'habitude."