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 but with a foreign accent, "It is only how to thank you I am at a loss, Sir; I understand you perfectly."

"So I could have sworn!" cried Riley, with a laugh, "I could have sworn that this would be the turn for understanding English again! And you can speak it, too, can you, Mistress?"

"And pray, good woman," demanded Mrs. Maple, staring at her, "how came you to learn English? Have you lived in any English family? If you have, I should be glad to know their names."

"Ay, their names! their names!" was echoed from Mrs. Maple by her niece.

The stranger looked down, and stammered, but said nothing that could distinctly be heard.

Riley, laughing again, though provoked, exclaimed, "There! now you ask her a question, she won't comprehend a word more! I was sure how 'twould be! They are clever beings, those French, they are, faith! always playing fools' tricks, like so many mon-