other directions, too.
And it is no mean musician that the child has become. Yes; there are
many well-known artists to whom I would listen less willingly than to my
Karen. It is only in the direction of _la toilette_," Madame von Marwitz
smiled with a touch of roguishness, "only in the direction of _la
toilette_ that the taste is rather rudimentary as yet. I was very cross
last night, _hein_?"

"It was disappointing not to have pleased you," said Karen, smiling.

"And I was cross. Louise has her _souffre-douleur_ expression this
morning to an exasperating degree."

"We thought we were going to make the dress quite right," said Karen.
"It seemed very simple to arrange the lace around the shoulders; I stood
and Louise draped me; and Louise is clever, you know."

"Not clever enough for that. It was all because with your solicitude
about Louise you wanted her to escape a scolding. She took the lace to
Mrs. Rolley too late and did not explain as I told her to do. And you
did not save her, you see. Put those two letters of Mr. Drew's in the
portfolio; so. And now come and sit, there. I want to have a serious
talk with you, Karen."

Karen obeyed. Madame von Marwitz sat in her deep chair, the window
behind her. The fog had lifted and the pale morning sunlight struck
softly on the coils of her hair and fell on the face of the young girl
sitting before her. With her grey dress and folded hands and serene gaze
Karen looked very like the little convent _pensionnaire_. Madame von
Marwitz scrutinized her thoughtfully for some moments.

"You are--how old is it, Karen?" she said at last.

"I shall be twenty-four in March," said Karen.

"_Bon Dieu!_ I had not realised that it was so much; you are singularly
young for your years."

"Am I, Tante? I don't know," Karen reflected, genially. "I often feel,
oh far older than the people I talk with."

"Do you, _mon enfant_. Some children, it is true, are far wiser than
their elders. You are a wise child; but you are young, Karen, very young
for your years, in appearance, in demeanour, in candour of outlook. Tell
me; have you ever contemplated your future? asked yourself about it?"

Karen, looking gravely at her, shook her head. "Hardly at all, Tante. Is
that very stupid?"

"Not stupid, perhaps; but, again, very child-like. You live in the
present."

"The past was so sad, Tante, and since I have been with you I have been
so happy. There has seemed no reason for thinking of anyth