his constant practice when she left the table; but on this occasion
he accompanied her to the door.

"And has madame decided," he asked, "whether she will permit me to
accompany her to the chateau?"

"Well, I really don't know," said Mrs. Thompson.

"Mees Meemy," continued M. Lacordaire, "is very anxious to see the
rock, and I may perhaps hope that Mees Lilian would be pleased with
such a little excursion. As for myself--" and then M. Lacordaire
put his hand upon his heart in a manner that seemed to speak more
plainly than he had ever spoken.

"Well, if the children would really like it, and--as you are so very
kind," said Mrs. Thompson; and so the matter was conceded.

"To-morrow afternoon?" suggested M. Lacordaire. But Mrs. Thompson
fixed on Saturday, thereby showing that she herself was in no hurry
for the expedition.

"Oh, I am so glad!" said Mimmy, when they had re-entered their own
room. "Mamma, do let me tell Lilian myself when I go up to the
school to-morrow!"

But mamma was in no humour to say much to her child on this subject
at the present moment. She threw herself back on her sofa in
perfect silence, and began to reflect whether she would like to sign
her name in future as Fanny Lacordaire, instead of Fanny Thompson.
It certainly seemed as though things were verging towards such a