ter enthusiastically. "Did you see
the look you got from the young woman in the next box--the one with
the pushed-in face?"

"No."

"I did. Prussic acid and vinegar."

"Oh, Fanny!"

"I saw it. One drink would have meant death mingled with convulsions."

"You imagined it."

"Not much," retorted her sister. "I saw it, I tell you. So did
Jimmie--I mean James. You know I'm trying to break myself of this
habit of calling him Jimmie. It's so common."

"Where is Jimmie?" smiled Virginia, still busy at her dressing table.

"Smoking a cigar and admiring the baby."

Virginia remained silent for a moment. Then, thoughtfully, she said:

"Do you know what I'm going to do for her?"

"No--what?" demanded Fanny eagerly.

"I'm going to do all I can for her. She'll never have to fight and
struggle as you and mother did. I'm going to buy her clothes for her,
see after her education, get a governess when the time comes, send her
through Vassar or Wellesley if she wants to go, see that she learns
how to ride and drive. In fact, I'm going to do everything for her
that money and love can."

Fanny clasped her hands with delight. Enthusiastically and gratefully
she exclaimed:

"You're a thoroughbred, Virgie! But what would your husband say?"

"Robert would help me. He's as fond of her as I am. And you know the
size of his heart."

"I should say I do," replied Fanny eagerly. "See what he's done for
James and me already."

"Anything else, Madame?" inquired Josephine, who had finished her
duties.

Her mistress shook her head.

"No, Josephine. You needn't wait for me."

"Shall I call Madame in the morning?"

"No. I'll ring when I want you."

"Oui, Madame." Turning round at the door, she said apologetically:
"Quant au bain, je verrai a ce que cela ne se repete plus."

Virginia smiled good naturedly:

"Very well, Josephine--that's all right--"

"Bonne nuit, Madame!"

The girl went out, closing the door behind her. Fanny, laughing,
mimicked her:

"'Anything else, Madame?' 'No, Josephine, you needn't wait for me.'
'Shall I call you in the morning, Madame?' 'No, I'll ring when I want
you.' Gee! That's classy, all right. It's just like one reads about in
the story books."

"What is?" asked Virginia, who, still seated at the dressing table,
had begun to arrange her hair for the night.

"You and the way you speak French!"

The younger sister laughed heartily.

"Why shouldn't I? I've studied hard enough in the las