dream in such vivid colours; in the second place, me, who was able
to remember and repeat faithfully all your dream; and lastly,
Mademoiselle Jeanne, whom I now introduce to you, for she herself
modeled that wax figure precisely according to my instructions."

Madame de Gabry had taken the young girl's hand as she spoke; but the
latter had suddenly broken away from her, and was already running
through the park with the speed of a bird.

"Little crazy creature!" Madame de Gabry cried after her. "How can
one be so shy? Come back here to be scolded and kissed!"

But it was all of no avail; the frightened child disappeared among
the shrubbery. Madame de Gabry seated herself in the only chair
remaining in the dilapidated parlour.

"I should be much surprised," she said, "If my husband had not
already spoken to you of Jeanne. She is a sweet child, and we both
lover her very much. Tell me the plain truth; what do you think
of her statuette?"

I replied that the work was full of good taste and spirit, but that
it showed some want of study and practice on the author's part;
otherwise I had been extremely touched to think that those young
fingers should have thus embroidered an old man's rough sketch of
fancy, and given form so brilliantly to the dreams of a dotard like
myself.

"The reason I ask your opinion," replied Madame de Gabry, seriously,
"is that Jeanne is a poor orphan. Do you think she could earn her