WOMEN

Mademoiselle St. Pierre always presided at M. Emanuel's lessons, and I

was told that the polish of her manner, her seeming attention, her tact and

grace, impressed that gentleman very favourably. She had, indeed, the art of

pleasing, for a given time, whom she would; but the feeling would not last:

in an hour it was dried like dew, vanished like gossamer.

The day preceding Madame's fête was as much a holiday as the fête it-

self. It was devoted to clearing out, cleaning, arranging and decorating the

three schoolrooms. All within-doors was the gayest bustle; neither up-stairs

nor down could a quiet, isolated person find rest for the sole of her foot; ac-

cordingly, for my part, I took refuge in the garden. The whole day did I

wander or sit there alone, finding warmth in the sun, shelter among the

trees, and a sort of companionship in my own thoughts. I well remember