"We'll have the hall-chairs painted," said I, and I felt quite pleased. "And the gig of course," said FRED. "Of course; for what is life if one doesn't enjoy it?" said I. "Very true, love. And the stable-bucket," continued FRED. "Just as you please, dear," said I; "but certainly the hall-lamp."-- "Yes: and if we could only get--no, but that's too much to expect," said FRED. "What's too much?" I asked; for FRED'S manner quite excited me. "Why, I was thinking, if we could get your great aunt merely to die, we might turn out a very pretty hatchment."-- "Now, FREDERICK!"--for this was going too far. "I assure you, my love"--said FRED--"'twould give us a great lift in the neighbourhood: and as you say, what's existence without enjoying it?--What's life without paint?" "Well, but"--for he hadn't told me--"but your descent, love? Is it so very historical?" "Very. I come in a direct line--so direct, my darling, you might think it was drawn by a ruler--a direct line from JOAN OF ARC." "Is it true?" I cried. "When we cross over to Dieppe, it isn't far to Rouen. You'd like to see Rouen?" "Very much, indeed," I answered. "I always wanted to see Normandy; the home of my ancestors;" and I _did_ feel a little elevated. "It's very natural, LOTTY"--said FRED. "A reasonable, yes, a very reasonable ambition. Well, at Rouen, I have no doubt I can show you my family tree; at the same time, I shouldn't wonder if we could obtain some further authentic intelligence about your pippin."-- "Nothing more likely," said I; for I _did_ want to see France. "Nothing more likely." "I'm afraid there's no regular packet across"--said FRED--"but we can hire a boat."-- "A boat? Why, my dear, a boat is"-- "Yes; in a nice trim sea-boat we can cross admirably; and, my love," said FRED, moving close and placing his arm about me--"my love, the matter grows upon me. Let us consider it. Here we are about to begin the world. In fact, I think I may say, we have begun it."-- "Mamma always said marriage wasn't beginning, but settling." "Let us say the beginning of the settling. Well, we are at a very interesting point of our history; and who knows what may depend upon our voyage?"-- "Still, you'll never go in a boat that"--but he put his hand over my mouth, and went on. "I declare, beloved LOTTY, when I look upon ourselves--two young creatures--going forth upon the waters to search for and authenticate our bearings--when I reflect, my darling, that not merely ourselves, but our unborn great grandchildren"-- "Don't be foolish, FRED," said I; but he _would_. "That our great grandchildren, at this moment in the dim regions of probability, and in the still dimmer limbo of possibility"-- "Now, what _are_ you talking about?" I asked; but he was in one of his ways, and it was of no use.