Up and
down the silent stream drifted here and there a phantom boat, the gleam
of its light following like a firefly. From some came no sound but the
muffled plash of the oars. From others floated stray bits of song and
laughter. Far up the stream I heard the distant whistle of the down
train.
"It is mine, monsieur. Will you cross with me, and bring back the boat?"
Monsieur unhooked the lantern, and I followed through the garden and
down the terrace steps.
At the water's edge was a bench holding two figures.
Monsieur turned his lantern, and the light fell upon the face of young
Francois.
When the bow grated on the opposite bank I shook his hand, and said, in
parting, pointing to the lovers,--
"The same old story, Monsieur?"
"Yes; and always new. You must come to the church."
NOTES
=Harlem River=:--Note that this river is in New York City, not in France
as one might suppose from the name of the selection.
=Devonshire=:--A very attractive county of southwestern England.
=filet=:--A thick slice of meat or fish.
=charmant=:--The French word for _charming_.
=Roquefort=:--A kind of cheese.
=Sacre! Vous etes le diable=:--Curses! You are the very deuce.
=passe-partouts=:--Engraved ornamental borders for pictures.
=gendarme=:--A policeman of France.
=Napoleon III=:--Emperor of the French, 1852-1870. He was elected
president of the Republic in 1848; he seized full power in 1851; in
1852, he was proclaimed emperor.
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