SCENES VII. AND VIIL

The corresponding member of the academy was once sent to à town in the country to make researches about the presence of a Roman camp and to gather inscriptions. There he saw a charming girl for whom he sonceived a strong attachment, He returned to Paris, but from the time he had seen her, her image troubled his dreams and filled his life and heart. He began to write songs about her, and at last he recognised that the happiness of all his life depended on her.

So he wrote to her father and made him an offer of marriage, which Was à great surprise to him. He replied that although his daughter

francs, he must be frank and make a confession. She had one miserable

fault, she could not spell. This was too much for the Academician. He was frightened and sai

ExERoISsEs FoR COMPOSITION. 85