conversation between the girl and her uncle.

"It's a fool idea," mumbled the old gentleman; "you will get into some
trouble or other."

"That doesn't matter. It will be like a vacation,--a flash of old
Rome, where I wish I were at this very moment. I am determined."

"This is what comes of reading romantic novels,"--with a kind of
grumble.

"I admit there never was a particle of romance on your side of the
family," the girl retorted.

"Happily. There is peace in the house where I live."

"Do not argue with me."

"I am not arguing with you. I should only be wasting my time. I am
simply warning you that you are about to commit a folly."

"I have made up my mind."

"Ah! In that case I have hopes," he returned. "When a woman makes up
her mind to do one thing, she generally does another. Why can't you
put aside this fool idea and go to the opera with me?"

"I have seen _Carmen_ in Paris, Rome, London and New York," she replied.

(Evidently a traveled young person.)