interesting to Alice since her
conversation with Mignon. Madame Orley and her trained steed were quite
new and different now that she knew that Madame Orley's real name was
Currie, and that she curled Mignon's hair every morning. Goo-Goo seemed
like an intimate friend, because of the writing-lessons. Alice was even
sure that she could make out old Jerry of the needle-book among the
attendants. Round and round and round sped the horses. Goo-Goo cracked
his whip. The trapezeist swung high in air like a glittering blue spider
suspended by silver threads. Mr. Vernon Twomley's Bucephalus did every
thing but talk. Somebody else on another horse played the violin and
stood on his head meanwhile, all at full gallop! It was delightful. But
the best of all was when Mignon came out again. Her cheeks were rosier,
her eyes brighter than ever, and--yes--she recollected her promise, for
during the very first round she turned to Alice, poised on one foot like
a true fairy, smiled charmingly, and kissed her hand twice. How
delightful that was! Not Alice only, but all the children present were
bewitched by Mignon that evening. Twenty little girls at least said to
their mothers, "Oh, how I would like to ride like that!" and many who
did not speak wished privately that they could change places and _be_
Mignon. Alice did not wish this any longer. The noise and confusion
behind the scenes, the stamping horses and swearing men, had given her a
new idea of the life which poor Mignon had to lead among these sights
and sounds, the only child among many grown people, dependant upon the
chance kindness of clowns and head grooms for her few pleasures, her
little education. She no longer desired to change places. What she now
wanted was to carry Mignon away for a companion and friend, sharing
lessons with her and Aunty and all the other good things which she had
forgotten, when in the morning she wished herself a part of the gay
circus troupe.

And now the performances were almost over. One last feat remained, the
_Finale_, of which Mignon had spoken. It stood on the bills thus:--

"GRAND FINALE!!
IN CONCLUSION
WILL BE GIVEN THE STUPEFYING FEAT
OF
THE ENCHANTED STEED,
AND
THE FLIGHT THROUGH THE AIR!
_Performers:_
MADEMOISELLE MIGNON; HER HORSE PLUTO; M. ARISTIDE;
AND M. JOACHIN."

Ali