me an account of Maraucourt. In twenty to
a hundred lines I asked her to describe the village to me. She sat down
and wrote. Her pen flew over the paper; she did not hesitate for words;
she wrote four long pages; she described the factories, the scenery,
every thing clearly and in detail. She wrote about the birds and the
fishes over near the pond, and about the morning mists that cover the
fields and the water. Then of the calm, quiet evenings. Had I not seen
her writing it I should have thought that she had copied it from some
good author. Unfortunately the spelling and writing is very poor but, as
I said, that does not matter. That is merely a matter of a few months,
whilst all the lessons in the world would not teach her how to write if
she had not been gifted with the sense of feeling and seeing in such a
remarkable manner; that she can convey to others what she feels and
sees. If you have time to let me read it to you, you will see that I
have not exaggerated."

The governess read Perrine's narrative to him. He was delighted. He had
wondered once or twice if he had been wise in so promptly befriending
this little girl and giving her a place in his home. It had appeared to
him strange the sudden fancy that he had taken to her.

He told Mlle. Belhomme how her little pupil had lived in a cabin in one
of the fields, and how, with nothing except what she found on hand, she
contrived to make kitchen utensils and shoes, and how she had made her
meals of the fish, herbs and fruit that she found.

Mlle. Belhomme's kind face beamed as the blind man talked. She was
greatly interested in what he told her. When M. Vulfran stopped the
governess remained silent, thinking.

"Don't you think," she said at last, "that to know how to create the
necessities that one needs is a master quality to be desired above all?"

"I certainly do, and it was precisely because that child could do that
that I first took an interest in her. Ask her some time to tell you her
story and you will see that it required some energy and courage for her
to arrive where she is now."

"Well, she has received her reward since she has been able to interest
you."

"Yes, I am interested, and already attached to her. I am glad that you
like her, and I hope that you will do all that you can with her."

Perrine made great progress with her studies. She was interested in
everything her governess had to tell her, but her beautiful eyes
betrayed the greatest in