thing -- that has not got what a pudding has? a name,"
and he laughed till his sides shook, and drawing a
pouch from his pocket, took thence a quid of tobacco,
and put it into his cheek, at the same time playfully
offering another to the outraged Seraphine, who petu-
lently dashed it from his fingers, and affected to bridle
at the insult.
Meantime Amanda stood in silent sadness, and the
Seigneur, who had been watching her during the
heartless flirtation between the brother and sister,
advanced one pace into the room, and said: "I know
your story, and have reason to be angry, not so much
with you as with my son, whom, I believe, you are
acquainted with, one Claude Montigny." Amanda
turned away her face and blushed.
"You do know him I perceive," the Seigneur con-
tinued, "and if by chance he has happened to know
you I do not blame him, much less can I blame your-
self: but, lady, remember," and the proud Montigny
advanced, and bending over her whilst his voice fell,
as if it were intended for her ear alone, said "remem-
ber, we are not all of the same degree, though Heaven
has fashioned all of the same clay. The proudest and
the wealthiest in Canada might hail you as a daughter;
but old prescription, antecedents, prospects, all com-
bine to render impossible your union with my son."
Amanda blushed yet deeper, and both of them
stood for awhile embarrassed, but at length she said
falteringly, and glowing like a crimson poppy in her
confusion:
"I own it just that you should urge these large
considerations; yet, believe me, sir, I have been pas-
sive in this matter, and have not sought your son's
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