Miss Drayton and Mrs. Patterson read and reread the letter.

"Well?" asked Miss Drayton.

"We'll not send her to an asylum, you know," said Mrs. Patterson,
decidedly. "Unless her own people claim her, we will keep her. Anne
shall be my little daughter."

So it was settled, and the family party went on to Paris. The great
physician made a careful examination of Mrs. Patterson. He, too, was
unwilling to express an opinion about her condition. He would prefer, he
said, to have madame under treatment awhile at his private hospital, a
quiet place in the suburbs.

It was promptly decided to accept Dr. La Farge's suggestion. Mrs.
Patterson's health being the object of their journey, there was no
reason why they should winter in Nantes if in Paris she could secure
more helpful treatment. It was resolved, therefore, to send Pat and Anne
to boarding-schools while Mrs. Patterson and Miss Drayton put themselves
under the doctor's orders.

"Oh! Aren't we going to Nantes?" asked Anne, when Miss Drayton informed
her of the changed plans.

"No, Anne. I've just told you, we are all going to stay in or near
Paris."

"Not going there at all? ever?" the child persisted.