'Yes; you know he always says he is our Mentor. And I wish he would
change into a goddess with a helmet and a shield, with an ugly face,
and go off in a cloud. Do you think he will, Estelle?'

'Do not be so silly, Ulick; there are no goddesses now.'

'I heard M. de la Mede tell that pretty lady with the diamond butterfly
that she was his goddess; so there are!'

'You do not understand, brother. That was only flattery and
compliment. Goddesses were only in the Greek mythology, and were all
over long ago!'

'But are we really going to see our papa?'

'Oh yes, mamma told me so. He is made Ambassador to Sweden, you know.'

'Is that greater than Envoy to Spain?'

'Very, very much greater. They call mamma Madame l'Ambassadrice; and
she is having three complete new dresses made. See, there are la bonne
and Laurent talking. It is English, and if we go near with our cups
and balls we shall hear all about it. Laurent always knows, because my
uncle tells him.'

'You must call him La Juenesse now he is made mamma's lackey. Is he
not beautiful in his new livery?'

'Be still now, brother; I want to hear what they are saying.'