. It not happen again--I see to
that."

Virginia smiled languidly:

"I'm not complaining, Josephine--"

"No, Madame is very good and kind."

"There's no reason why I shouldn't be."

"Merci, Madame," said the girl with a courtesy.

At that moment there was a knock at the door and Fanny entered. She,
also, was in evening dress, but less elegantly attired than her
sister. Dropping into a chair, while Virginia went on changing her
gown, she exclaimed:

"Baby's all right, thank God! She's sleeping just as sound as can be."

"Isn't that nice?" smiled Virginia.

"Yes," went on her sister proudly, "she's a perfect darling."

"She's certainly a dear," murmured Virginia, turning to view herself
in the long mirror.

"Did you ever know a child who behaved better?" demanded the proud
mother.

"Never. She hasn't been the slightest trouble since you've been
here--has she?"

"No!" smiled Fanny. "And she's always that way. It's such a comfort to
a mother to know her child has a sweet disposition. I wonder whether
she gets it--from me or from Jimmie."

"Jimmie's coming in say good night, isn't he?" asked Virginia.

"You bet!" exclaimed her sister, involuntarily relapsing into slang.
"I mean--certainly he is."

"That's right," said Virginia.

"Shall we see you in the morning before we go?"

"Of course."

"I thought perhaps you'd have breakfast in bed."

"And let you and the baby go without saying good-bye? No, indeed."

Virginia had now changed her gown for a loose, clinging robe. With a
sigh of relief she exclaimed:

"Oh, how good it is to be unlaced!"

"That's right," replied Fanny; "make yourself comfortable. I could let
an inch or so out of mine without doing any violent harm. Oh, I just
love to be dressed--decolletee! I got it right that time, didn't I,
Josephine?"

"Oui, Madame," replied the maid.

"Fine! And say, Virgie--"

"Yes?"

"I looked them all over at the opera to-night and you take it from
me--nobody had anything on us to-night."

"You certainly looked very well," said Virginia with a smile.

Fanny beamed with pleasure.

"You weren't ashamed of your sister, were you?" she said.

"Ashamed! I should say not."

"Of course," went on the elder sister proudly, "with my figure I can
wear anything! But when it comes to evening dress I flatter myself
that I'm in the front of the procession and very near the band!"

"It certainly is becoming to you."

"You were a dream!" went on her sis