He took it up-stairs, and we heard him knock at Madame's door.

After a pause ("I'm sure she's crying again!" said Eleanor) Madame came out, and a warm discussion began between them, of which we only heard fragments.
Madame's voice, as the shrillest, was most audible, and it rose into distinctness as she exclaimed, "Anything soh dirrty, soh meean, soh folgaire, I nevaire saw." Again the discussion proceeded, and we only caught a few of Jack's arguments about "customs of the country," "for the fun of it," etc.
"Fun ?" said Madame.
"For a joke," said Jack.
"_Ah, c'est vrai_, for the choke," she said.
"And _avec moi_," Jack continued.

"There's French for you, Madame! Come along!" Madame laughed.
"She'll go," said Eleanor.
"_Eh bien!_" Madame cried gaily.

"For the choke.

_Avec vous, Monsieur Jack._ Ha! ha! _Allons!_ Come along!" "Link, Madame," said Jack, as they came down-stairs, Madame smarter than ever, and bouquet in hand.
"Mais _link_?
What is this ?" said she.
"Take my arm," said Jack.