Мхи старой усадьбы

           "

           "Butthesuitforbreachofpromise!"groanedI.

           "Ah,andisthattherub?"exclaimedmywife."Isitpossiblethatyouviewthataffairinanobjectionablelight?Mr.Bullfrog,Inevercouldhavedreamedit!IsitanobjectionthatIhavetriumphantlydefendedmyselfagainstslanderandvindicatedmypurityinacourtofjustice?Ordoyoucomplainbecauseyourwifehasshowntheproperspiritofawoman,andpunishedthevillainwhotrifledwithheraffections?"

           "But,"persistedI,shrinkingintoacornerofthecoach,however,—forIdidnotknowpreciselyhowmuchcontradictiontheproperspiritofawomanwouldendure,—"but,mylove,woulditnothavebeenmoredignifiedtotreatthevillainwiththesilentcontempthemerited?"

           "Thatisallverywell,Mr.Bullfrog,"saidmywife,slyly;"but,inthatcase,wherewouldhavebeenthefivethousanddollarswhicharetostockyourdrygoodsstore?"

           "Mrs.Bullfrog,uponyourhonor,"demandedI,asifmylifehunguponherwords,"istherenomistakeaboutthosefivethousanddollars?"

           "Uponmywordandhonorthereisnone,"repliedshe."Thejurygavemeeverycenttherascalhad;andIhavekeptitallformydearBullfrog."

           "Then,thoudearwoman,"criedI,withanoverwhelminggushoftenderness,"letmefoldtheetomyheart.Thebasisofmatrimonialblississecure,andallthylittledefectsandfrailtiesareforgiven.Nay,sincetheresulthasbeensofortunate,Irejoiceatthewrongswhichdrovetheetothisblessedlawsuit.HappyBullfrogthatIam!"