'What an uncommon name,' she said. '"Célestine," did you say? It is French.'
'No, mamma, not "Célestine,"' said Alie, '"Celestina." I suppose it's the English of the other.'
'I never heard it in English before,' said Mrs. Vane, 'though I once had a dear old friend in France called "Célestine"—you remember Madame d'Ermont, Bernard? I've not heard from her for ever so long.'
'Celestina was going to tell us about her name, but something interrupted her and then she forgot,' said Alie. 'Perhaps they've got some French relations, mamma.'
'It isn't likely,' her mother replied. 'But some day when I am in the village, or town—should we call it "town," Bernard?'
'It is a seaport, so it must be a town, I suppose,' said Mr. Vane.
'I should like to see the little girl and her mother,' Mrs. Vane continued.
'And oh, mamma,' cried Biddy, jumping up and down in her chair as her spirits rose again, 'when you do, mayn't I go with you, and then Celestina would show me her dolls' room?'
'We shall see, my dear,' her mother replied.
Biddy was not at all fond of the reply, 'We shall see.' 'It's only a perlite way of saying "no,"' she once said, but she dared not tease her mother any more.