vivacity was the result of patient study and
practice. Katy would have known they were high-bred, as the world
defines high breeding, and something in their manner reminded her of the
ladies she had seen abroad, ladies in whose veins lordly blood was
flowing. She could not help feeling uncomfortable in their presence,
especially as she felt that Juno's black eyes were on her constantly.
Not that she could ever meet them looking at her, for they darted away
the instant hers were raised, but she knew just when they returned to
her again, and how closely they were scanning her.

"Your wife looks tired, Will. Let her sit down," Bell said, herself
wheeling the easy-chair nearer to the fire, while Wilford placed Katy in
it; then, thinking she would get on better if he were not there, he left
the room, and Katy was alone with her new sisters.

Juno had examined her dress and found no fault with it, simply because
it was Parisian make; while Bell had examined her head, deciding that
there might be something in it, though she doubted it, but that, at all
events, short hair was very becoming to it, showing all its fine
proportions, and half deciding to have her own locks cut away. Juno had
a similar thought, wondering if it were the Paris fashion, and if she
would look as young in proportion as Katy did were her hair worn on her
neck.

With their brother's departure, the tongues of both the girls were
loosened, and standing near to Katy, they began to question her of what
she had seen, Juno asking if she did not hate to leave Italy, and did
not wish herself back again. Wholly truthful, Katy answered: "Oh, yes,
I was very sorry, I would rather be there than here."

"Complimentary to us, very," Bell murmured audibly in French, blushing
as Katy's eyes were lifted quickly to hers, and she knew she was
understood.

If there was anything which Katy liked more than another in the way of
study, it was French. She had excelled in it at Canandaigua, and while
abroad had taken great pains to acquire a pure pronunciation, so that
she spoke it with a good deal of fluency, and readily comprehended Bell.

"I did not mean to be rude," she said, earnestly. "I liked Italy so
much, and we expected to stay longer; but that does not hinder my liking
to be here. I hope I did not offend you."

"Certainly not; you are an honest little puss," Bell replied, placing
her hand caressingly upon the curly head laying back so wearily on the
chair. "Her