Mrs. Thompson, holding Mimmy by the hand, walked into the room some
few minutes after the last bell had been rung, and took the place
which was now hers by custom. The gentlemen who constantly
frequented the house all bowed to her, but M. Lacordaire rose from
his seat and offered her his hand.

"And how is Mees Meemy this morning?" said he; for 'twas thus he
always pronounced her name.

Miss Mimmy, answering for herself, declared that she was very well,
and suggested that M. Lacordaire should give her a fig from off a
dish that was placed immediately before him on the table. This M.
Lacordaire did, presenting it very elegantly between his two
fingers, and making a little bow to the little lady as he did so.

"Fie, Mimmy!" said her mother; "why do you ask for the things before
the waiter brings them round?"

"But, mamma," said Mimmy, speaking English, "M. Lacordaire always
gives me a fig every morning."

"M. Lacordaire always spoils you, I think," answered Mrs. Thompson,
in French. And then they went thoroughly to work at their
breakfast. During the whole meal M. Lacordaire attended assiduously
to his neighbour; and did so without any evil result, except that
one Frenchman with a black moustache, at the head of the table, trod
on the toe of another Frenchman with another black moustache--
winking as he made the sign--just as M. Lacordaire, having selected
a bunch of grapes, put it on Mrs. Thompson's plate with infinite