strangers and the young men, and Marie Bromar, who herself had
arranged the board, stood at the top of the room, by a second table,
and dispensed the soup. It was pleasant to watch her eyes, as she
marked the moment when the dispensing should begin, and counted her
guests, thoughtful as to the sufficiency of the dishes to come; and
noticed that Edmond Greisse had sat down with such dirty hands that
she must bid her uncle to warn the lad; and observed that the more
elderly of the two ladies from Epinal had bread too hard to suit
her,--which should be changed as soon as the soup had been
dispensed. She looked round, and even while dispensing saw
everything. It was suggested in the last chapter that another house
might have been built in Granpere, and that George Voss might have
gone there, taking Marie as his bride; but the Lion d'Or would
sorely have missed those quick and careful eyes.

Then, when that dispensing of the soup was concluded, Michel entered
the room bringing with him a young man. The young man had evidently
been expected; for, when he took the place close at the left hand of
Madame Voss, she simply bowed to him, saying some word of courtesy
as Michel took his place on the other side. Then Marie dispensed
two more portions of soup, and leaving one on the farther table for
the boy to serve, though she could well have brought the two, waited
herself upon her uncle. 'And is Urmand to have no soup?' said
Michel Voss, as he took his niece lovingly by the hand.

'Peter is bringing it,' said Marie. And in a moment or two Peter
the waiter did bring the young man his soup.

'And will not Mademoiselle Marie sit down with us?' said the young
man.