"But you are not much afraid of me, Marie, after all?"
"Mais vous, vous parlez Français,—c'est très heureux pour moi!"
"Well, I must say that I do not quite see that, Marie; perhaps you can explain it to me?"
"Oui, et très bien même. Je n'aime pas à parler une langue étrangère avec vous, parceque j'ai peur de vous, mais vous n'avez pas peur de moi!" And she laughed merrily, as if she thought it an absurd idea that any one could be afraid of her. It made Flora laugh also, and the laughing seemed to set Marie more at her ease,—very soon all fear of the formidable Flora appeared to have vanished.
After some little time Mrs. Adair said, "I am glad, Marie, to see that you and Flora are becoming friends."
"Oui, Madame, et je n'ai plus peur d'elle!"
"So I perceive, nor must you be afraid of me, either. Now we must leave you, but only until Monday. Flora has told you, I suppose, that the Superioress has given you leave to come to us then."
"Oui, Madame, et ce sera un bonheur pour moi de faire ce voyage avec vous et avec Mademoiselle votre fille!"
"I hope you may find it so. Good-bye, then, for a few days." She kissed her, and then turned to bid Madame Hird adieu.