being of whose society I cannot possibly have too much. She insists
that, when the ceremony takes place in December, they shall officiate as
groomsmen, and I have no doubt she will carry her point In fact, when I
retire for the night without first seeking their room, and putting a
grateful kiss on their unconscious lips, my conscience upbraids me with
base ingratitude. To think I might yet be a hopeless bachelor had it not
been for them, is to overflow with gratitude to the Giver of Helen's
Babies.

* * * * *




LUDOVIC HALEVY


The Abbé Constantin


Ludovic Halevy, born in Paris on January 1, 1834, was a nephew
of Jacques François Halevy, the famous operatic composer.
Beginning life in the Civil Service, he himself achieved
considerable distinction as a dramatic author, "Frou-Frou,"
written in collaboration with Meilhac, being one of the
greatest theatrical successes of his century. He soon,
however, forsook the drama for fiction. His first novel,
"Monsieur and Madame Cardinal," published in 1873, gave ample
promise of the inventive genius and gift of characterisation
that were fully realised nine years later in "L'Abbé