ast he had thought of her on
the eve of his unexpected departure. What inexpressible comfort that
note might have contributed during all those tedious months of silence
and separation! While she sat there thinking of the dreary afternoon
when, down in the orchard-grass she lay upon her face, Dr. Grey came
nearer to her, and said,--

"I hope you have not abandoned your French?"

"No, sir; but I devote less time than formerly to it."

"If agreeable to you, we will resume the exercises as soon as I can
wield my pen."

"If you can teach me Italian, I should prefer it; especially since I
have learned to pronounce French tolerably well?"

"What use do you expect to have for Italian,--at least, at present?
French is much more essential."

"I have a good reason for desiring to make the change, though just now
I do not choose to be driven into any explanations."

"Pardon me. I had no intention of forcing your confidence. When in
Italy, I always contrive to understand and make myself understood;
but my knowledge and use of the language is rather too slip-shod to
justify my attempting to teach you idioms, hallowed as the medium
through which Dante and Ariosto charmed the world. Miss Dexter,
Muriel's governess, is a very thorough and accomplished linguist, and
speaks Italian not only gracefully but correctly. I have already
engaged her to teach you whatever she may deem advisable when she
comes here to live."

"You are very kind. Is she a young person?"

"She is a very highly cultivated and elegant woman, probably
twenty-five or six years old, and has been in Florence with Muriel."

Involuntarily and unconsciously the orphan sighed, and the muscles in
her broad forehead tangled terribly.

"Salome, please put your hand in the right pocket of my vest, and take
out a key that ought to be there. No,--not that; a larger steel one.
Now you have it. Will you be so good as to open that trunk which came
by express yesterday (it is in the upper hall), and bring me a box
wrapped in pink tissue-paper? I would not trouble you with so many
commissions if I could use my hands."

Unable longer to repress her feelings, the girl exclaimed eagerly,--

"If you could imagine what pleasure it affords me to render you the
slightest service, I am very sure you would not annoy me with
apologies for making me happy."

In a few moments she returned to the library, bearing in her hand a
small but heavy package, which she placed on the table