Louise suffered this display of tenderness for one moment, then
slipped lightly under his arms and retreated a few steps.
"Do you know," said she, with a low laugh, "that was a true,
respectable husband's kiss; without energy and without fire; not too
cold, not too warm--the tepid, lukewarm tenderness of a husband who
really loves his wife, and might be infatuated about her, if she had
not the misfortune to be his wife?"
"Ah! you are still the old Louise," said the major merrily; "still
the gay, coquettish, unsteady butterfly, who, with its bright,
variegated wings, knows how to escape, even when fairly caught in
the toils. I love you just as you are, Louise; I rejoice to find you
just what I left you. You will make me young again, child; by your
side I will learn again to laugh and be happy. We have lost the
power to do either amidst the fatigues and hardships of our rude
campaigns."
"Yes, yes," said Louise; "we dismissed you, handsome, well-formed
cavaliers, and you return to us clumsy, growling bears; good-humored
but savage pets, rather too willing to learn again to dance and
sing. The only question is, will the women consent to become bear-
leaders, and teach the uncultivated pets their steps?"
"Well, they will be obliged to do this," said the major, laughing.
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