"But, monsieur," she said, and blushed in confusion.

"Go on. I shall be interested in these young people's lessons."

"As monsieur wishes," she replied. "Now, my little ones, your catechism."

They ranged themselves in a line.

"Elisâ, thee first; repeat the Commandments of God."

Elisâ commenced a rhyming paraphrase of the Ten Commandments.

"Ah, no, cherie,—more reverence. Say it as to the Holy Virgin."

Elisâ went through it in a soft manner to the end.

"Rudolphe; the Seven Commandments of the Church."

The childish accents of the little one repeated them:—