"I am sure I could not. I have studied French in Switzerland and in New York, but I cannot speak it yet."
"I am afraid you don't practise it enough, Miss Blanche."
"I don't practise it at all out of school, for I have no one to talk with. Morris can't speak French any more than I can, and mamma has forgotten all she ever knew."
Louis spoke to her in French, and she replied to him in the same language. With a little assistance over hard places she got along very well, and declared that she was delighted with the exercise, which she should be glad to repeat every day.
CHAPTER XXXIV
ORIENTAL VIEWS IN ALGIERS
The party from the Guardian-Mother continued their walk towards the upper town till they came to a large square, which was laid out with lime and orange trees, and surrounded by the best buildings in the town, which were in European style. Captain Ringgold found a hotel there of considerable size, which he entered, and presently returned with a guide who spoke English and Arabic.
"This is the Place Royale," replied this man in answer to a question.
"You have all sorts of people here," said the commander. "Are there many English here?"
"Very few English and Americans; only once in a while one who comes to look at the city."