_n'est-ce-pas_?"

"Mademoiselle will never be old. She has the air of a princess, the
complexion--_d'une vierge_!"

Pauline was much amused and laughed once more with so thrilling a
cadence in her rich voice that the child in the basket-chair clapped
its hands and laughed too.

"So now, Artemise, try and understand what I tell you, for I shall not
see you again before I leave, and these are my last wishes, to be
faithfully carried out. I know the world, my dear, and I have had many
trying, many sad experiences, and as you grow older, and I trust wiser,
you will begin to realize what a charge Angeel will be. Are you
attending, Artemise?"

"_Oui, oui, ma'amselle_."

"Very well. I have told Dr. Renaud to come and see you often and
advise you; he will be a kind of guardian for you both, and will attend
you, as he did Henry, free of charge. The debts in the village and at
Poussette's cannot possibly be paid, but I will speak to Maman
Archambault about the future. The sale of Henry's effects will bring
enough, I hope, to enable you to find, still through Dr. Renaud, some
kind teacher for Angeel, and I wish, I particularly wish that this
talent for drawing and painting shall be encouraged. Do you understand
me?"

"_Oui, Ma'amselle_." Pauline's bright eye had transfixed the wandering
gaze of Artemise, who by almost superhuman efforts was trying to
collect her thoughts and remember all these directions.

"She can never hope for companionship, nor--certainly not--for school
advantages, nor yet marriage; how then? She must amuse herself, fill
in the time, be always occupied. Maman Archambault and you will sew
for her, cook for her, and watch over her, and if at any time the money
comes to an end----Artemise, listen, I tell you! Collect your wits and
keep looking at me." For the girl's attention was clearly wandering
now to something outside the house.

"_Oui, Mademoiselle, oui, oui._"

Pauline stamped her foot in her annoyance.

"The creature is not following what I say!" she exclaimed.
"Angeel--you can remember! You know what I have been saying. You are
to learn to draw, perhaps to paint, to make little pictures,
caricatures--oh, it will be so pleasant for you, and by and by people
will pay you to do this for them. See, _petite_, you must be very wise
for yourself, for the poor kind _maman_ cannot be wise for you."

And Angeel's heavy head nodded sagely in swift discernment of this
evident truth, fo