"Ermengarde, they are all returning. They are in the avenue already. Oh, how cruel of you to come home without me! You might have got me into an awful scrape."
"I could not help it, Flora. You should not have left me with such people. They are not at all in our set. Father would not wish me to know them."
"Oh, nonsense! They are as good as anybody."
"They are not; they are not good at all. They are vulgar and horrid. I am surprised you should have taken me to see such people."
"Well, well, child, it's all over now. You'll never tell about to-day, will you, Ermengarde?"
"Oh, I suppose not, Flora."
"You suppose not? But you must promise faithfully. You don't know what mischief you'll make, if you tell. Promise now, Ermengarde; promise that you won't tell."
"Very well, I promise," replied Ermie, in a tired-out voice.
"That's a darling. I knew you were a pretty, sweet little pet. If ever I can do anything for you, Ermie, I will. Kiss me now, love. I hear their voices in the hall, and I must fly."
Flora rushed noisily out of the room, and Ermie breathed a sigh of relief.