adame Merle.

The good sisters, standing with their hands folded into their sleeves,
accepted this statement uncritically; and the master of the house asked
his new visitor how long it was since she had left Rome. "She came to
see me at the convent," said the young girl before the lady addressed
had time to reply.

"I've been more than once, Pansy," Madame Merle declared. "Am I not your
great friend in Rome?"

"I remember the last time best," said Pansy, "because you told me I
should come away."

"Did you tell her that?" the child's father asked.

"I hardly remember. I told her what I thought would please her. I've
been in Florence a week. I hoped you would come to see me."

"I should have done so if I had known you were there. One doesn't know
such things by inspiration--though I suppose one ought. You had better
sit down."

These two speeches were made in a particular tone of voice--a tone
half-lowered and carefully quiet, but as from habit rather than from any
definite need. Madame Merle looked about her, choosing her seat. "You're
going to the door with these women? Let me of course not interrupt the
ceremony. Je vous salue, mesdames," she added, in French, to the nuns,
as if to dismiss them.

"This lady's a great friend of ours; you will have seen her at the
convent," said their entertainer. "We've much faith in her judgement,
and she'll help me to decide whether my daughter shall return to you at
the end of the holidays."

"I hope you'll decide in our favour, madame," the sister in spectacles
ventured to remark.

"That's Mr. Osmond's pleasantry; I decide nothing," said Madame Merle,
but also as in pleasantry. "I believe you've a very good school, but
Miss Osmond's friends must remember that she's very naturally meant for
the world."

"That's what I've told monsieur," sister Catherine answered. "It's
precisely to fit her for the world," she murmured, glancing at Pansy,
who stood, at a little distance, attentive to Madame Merle's elegant
apparel.

"Do you hear that, Pansy? You're very naturally meant for the world,"
said Pansy's father.

The child fixed him an instant with her pure young eyes. "Am I not meant
for you, papa?"

Papa gave a quick, light laugh. "That doesn't prevent it! I'm of the
world, Pansy."

"Kindly permit us to retire," said sister Catherine. "Be good and wise
and happy in any case, my daughter."

"I shall certainly come back and see you," Pansy returned, recommencing
her e