er in her childish tastes and desires, as a younger person would
perhaps have done. If you should decide in favor of the position, you
would of course reside here with us, and your time would be chiefly
occupied with Bertha, for she needs constant care. I would like her to
have regular lessons--by that I mean you would have to read aloud what
she was to learn, and talk it over with her until it became fixed in her
memory. Then--your advertisement stated that you desired pupils in
French; do you speak the language readily?"

"Yes, sir; I have studied years under a native teacher, while, during
most of the past year I was abroad, the last four months I spent in
Paris and devoted exclusively to perfecting myself in music and French."

"I am gratified to learn that," Mr. Lawrence said, "because I wish
Bertha to be able to speak French as readily as she can English, as I
intend to take her abroad at no distant day--to Paris--to see if
something more cannot be done to improve her sight. As for music, you
will have no difficulty in teaching her that, for the child is
passionately fond of it, and is never so happy as when she is at the
piano or organ. You perceive that you would have to be both teacher and
companion--I hope I do not frighten you with all these requirements,
Miss Huntington," the gentleman interposed, smiling, "but I wish you to
fully understand, at the outset, what your duties will be. Do you object
to giving up your plan of having a number of pupils and taking one
instead?"

"Oh, no," Violet answered, thoughtfully; "I think, on the whole, that I
should prefer to do so, if I were sure of my competency for the
position. It appears a great responsibility to have the care and
training of a motherless girl like Miss Bertha."

"Are you fond of children?" Mr. Lawrence inquired.

Violet's face lighted, as she replied:

"Yes, indeed, although I have been very little with them during my life;
while my heart goes forth with a strange yearning toward your little
daughter, and I believe I would really like to devote myself to her--at
least, make the trial--and see if I cannot make the time pass agreeably
and profitably to her."

Mr. Lawrence was very much gratified at this response. He saw that
Violet was wholly sincere in what she said, while her apparent sympathy
for his afflicted child touched him deeply.

"I am very much pleased to hear you say that," he remarked, with a
genial smile, and Violet was greatly su