'But all this time, though Emerald knew it not, her aged friend had kept watch over her and her new experience; and one day there came a message, bidding her go to the grand-dame's cave, as she had something to say to her. This was a summons no young mermaid would have dared to disobey, and so, holding the little girl as usual by the hand, she made her way thither.
'Her old friend looked at her earnestly.
'"It is long since you have been to see me, my child," she said, "and this is your little charge."
'She drew the little girl towards her as she spoke, and kissed her.
'"Are you happy with Emerald?" she asked her gently. The child's pale face flushed deeply.
'"Emerald is very good to me," she replied, "and sometimes I am very happy, but I have a pain here," and she touched her heart. "I want to go home, I want to see brother and mamma and nurse again; until I do, the pain won't go away."
'"It will get better soon, I think," said the sea lady, and then she drew the child's attention to a charming rockery in one corner of her cave, so that she could speak to Emerald without being heard.
'"You have known this, I fear," she began. "You are not doing right, my child, and your own heart must tell you so."
'Emerald hung her head.