"No," said Tom truthfully, for he had seen what was new, but not heard it.

"Old Carewe's brought his daughter home. Fanchon Bareaud was with her at
St. Mary's until last year and Fanchon says she's not only a great beauty
but a great dear."

"Ah!" rejoined the other with masterly indifference. "Dare say--dare
say."

"No wonder you're not interested," said Cummings cheerfully, returning to
the discussion of his bass. "The old villain will take precious good care
you don't come near her."

Mr. Vanrevel already possessed a profound conviction to the same effect.
Robert Meilhac Carewe was known not only as the wealthiest citizen of
Rouen, but also as its heartiest and most steadfast hater: and, although
there were only five or six thousand inhabitants, neither was a small
distinction. For Rouen was ranked, in those easy days, as a wealthy town;
even as it was called an old town; proud of its age and its riches, and
bitter in its politics, of course. The French had built a fort there,
soon after LaSalle's last voyage, and, as Crailey Gray said, had settled
the place, and had then been settled themselves by the pioneer militia.
After the Revolution, Carolinians and Virginians had come, by way of
Tennessee and Kentucky; while the adventurous countrymen from Connecticut,
travelling thither to sell, remained to buy--and then sell--when the
country was in its teens. In course of time the little trading-post of
the Northwest Territory had grown to be the leading centre of elegance and
culture in the Ohio Valley--at least they said so in Rouen; only a few
people in the country, such as Mr. Irving of Tarrytown, for instance,