“You dear little thing!” she said, “you will soon find it all out. And you haven’t got the least bit of voice to sing to us with?”
“No—I cannot sing!” said Violante, shyly.
“All, we shall make you tell us all your history,” said Mary, wishing to set her at her ease; “all about your stage-life and its wonders.”
“That was not very wonderful,” said Violante, while Rosa interposed:
“She had very little time to judge of it before she was ill, and now I think she would be glad to forget it.”
“Ah, well, we must make her into an English girl,” said Mrs Grey. “We will talk of schools and pupils by and by; first we will show her a little of the world. Is she as fond of parties as you were, Rosa? How wild a dance made you, good, sober girl as you were.”
“She has never been to a party,” said Rosa, laughing; “and I am not sure if she can dance—off the stage.”
“Oh, yes, I can, Rosina—Maddalena taught me.”
“Do you remember going to parties at the Stanforths’, Rosa?” said Miss Grey curiously.
“Yes—very well. Do you know them still?” said Rosa.