The girls were delighted, as they had become very fond of each other and were dreading the separation.
BRUSSELS BOURSE.
Mr. Ford had to go out on business, and Mrs. Ford said she would entertain Mrs. Winter if Mr. Winter would take the girls sight-seeing. They started on their walk in high spirits, and found such wide, clean streets, interesting shops, and large, handsome buildings.
The new Exchange just completed, and the Palace of Justice, are two of the most magnificent civic buildings in Europe.
They were much interested in a lace manufactory. On the lower floor were women at work on the finest patterns. They were all ages, from twenty to seventy, and never looked up while their work was being examined.
When the girls were leaving the room, Alice laughed at some remark of Nellie's, and then every head was lifted and a sad smile came on each face for a second.
Mr. Winter bought two lace handkerchiefs for the girls to take as presents to their mothers.
Through the remainder of their stay in Brussels they had lovely drives in the beautiful park, visited the Palace of Justice, situated at the end of a long street, on a hill where there was a glorious view of the surrounding country for miles.
They also found that the picture gallery had a very fine collection—indeed, said to be the best in Belgium, and the pictures were beautifully arranged in schools and periods.