"Et pourquoi pas?" said the Marquis.

"'Ambitious,'" repeated Criquet; "and desirous of raising herself to an elevated rank,'"

"She shall be a marchioness, Criquet," said Don Querubin. "I hope that will content her. De la Rosa y Saveta, eh?"

"'Nevertheless,'" continued Criquet reading, "'being very young, for she is but seventeen.'"

"Le tendre agneau!" exclaimed the Marquis.

"'Knowing little of the world, and being entirely ignorant of all foreign languages and customs—'"

"I'll teach her the language of love," said the Marquis, sentimentally.

"'Or customs,'" reiterated Criquet, "'some slight ceremony, and a few unmeaning words read from a missal by our friend Criquet, who will make a capital priest,' ("the devil I shall!" said Criquet;) 'will be all that is necessary on the occasion.'

"Voilà une péroraison qui gâte la première partie du discours!" said Criquet, nodding his head significantly.

"Mais c'est déloyal, ça!" said the Marquis, in an indignant tone.

"And pray who does the letter come from?"