This compliment allayed the ferocity of the vitreous-eyed gentleman. However, he was about to repeat his demand for proofs, when, on turning his head, he saw Monsieur Guillardin, who had come out to ascertain the cause of the uproar, accompanied by Madame Dauberny. She came to my side and whispered: "I presume that your friend Balloquet has been putting his foot in it?" As I said yes with my eyes, we heard a cry of surprise: "Why, there's Monsieur Guillardin--my landlord!" "Himself, Monsieur Bocal. What are you doing here, pray?" "What am I doing? Why, I am marrying my daughter Pétronille to Monsieur Girie here.--Come forward, Girie; come, I say, and speak to my landlord, to whom I sent cards, I am sure." The tall, fair-haired youth came forward with the loutish air that never left him, and bowed sheepishly to Monsieur Guillardin. This incident produced a fortunate diversion; attention was diverted from Balloquet, although Madame Girie continued to mutter: "Oh! if my son should fight, I should be sick three times over! But he shan't go out, or, if he does, I'll follow him! I'm capable of anything where Pamphile's concerned. When he ain't home at eleven o'clock or twelve, I go and sit at the window, and there I sit all night, till he comes home. When I hear a horse, I says: 'There's my son.'--Sometimes I don't have anything on but three undervests and two chemises! but I don't care; I snap my fingers at the risk of catching cold!" But nobody listened to Madame Girie. Monsieur Guillardin, having acknowledged the salutations of Monsieur Bocal and long-legged Pamphile, said to the former: "Faith! my dear monsieur, this is a curious coincidence. I'm here for the same purpose that you are." "I don't understand." "I have married my daughter to-day, and we're celebrating the occasion right beside you here." "Is that so? can it be possible? This other wedding party is yours? I mean, that you're marrying your daughter--no, giving her in marriage?" "Yes, monsieur," interposed Madame Dauberny; "and I have been waiting a long while for Monsieur Balloquet to ask me to dance. I told him that I should be at Mademoiselle Guillardin's wedding." Balloquet stared in amazement when that lady, whom he did not know, called him by name; but he replied at once: "I am at your service, madame; but, you see, I was trying to explain matters to these gentlemen, and----" "Oh! that's all over! let's not say any more about that!" cried Bocal, grasping Balloquet's hand. "If I had had any idea that you were invited to my landlord's wedding party!--Madame, messieurs, we shall be much flattered if you will honor us with your presence, if you will deign to come to our ball.--I beg you, Monsieur Guillardin, to do me that honor. Let me present Pétronille--Pamphile, go and call Pétronille.--Come, madame and messieurs, pray take a turn at our ball.--Cousin Ravinet, make our friends stand aside and make room for my landlord."