All this was so much Greek to me. Perhaps Miss Chandos saw that it was, for she laughed gaily. "Sir Thomas Chandos is my brother. Harry is the other one. We thought Tom would have retired from the army and come home when papa died, two or three years ago; but he still remains in India. Mamma writes him word that he should come home and marry, and so make himself into a respectable man; he sends word back that he is respectable enough as it is." "Your papa was——?" "Sir Thomas Chandos. Ah, dear! if he had but lived! He was so kind to us! Mamma is in widow's weeds yet, and always will be." "And who was she who brought you on board?" "Hill. She is the housekeeper at Chandos. Some one has always taken me over until this time, generally Harry. But Harry is away, and Miss Barlieu wrote word to mamma that the English governess could bring me, so Hill was despatched with me to town." "What a beautiful ring that is!" I exclaimed, as the stones flashed in the lamp-light. Her eyes fell upon it, and a blush and a smile rose to her face. She sat down on the edge of my berth, and twirled it over with the fingers of her other hand. "Yes it is a nice ring. Let any one attempt to give me a ring that is not a nice one; they would get it flung back at them." "Is Mademoiselle Barlieu's a large school?" "There were seventy-five last trimestre." "Seventy-five!" I repeated, amazed at the number. "That includes the externes—nearly fifty of them—with whom we have nothing to do. There are three class-rooms: one for the elder girls, one for the younger, and the third (it's the size almost of the large hall at the Tribunal of Commerce) for the externes." "Are there many teachers?" "Six, including the English governess and the two Miss Barlieus; and six masters, who are in nearly constant attendance." "Altogether, do you like being there?" "Yes," she said, laughing significantly, "I like it very well _now_. I am going on deck to watch the day break; so adieu for the present. We had a rough passage; of which I cannot think to this day without—without wishing not to think of it; and late in the afternoon the steamer was made fast to the port it was bound for. In the midst of the bustle preparatory to landing, a gentleman, young, vain, and good-looking, leaped on board, braving the douaniers, who were too late to prevent him, and warmly greeted Miss Chandos. "My dear Emily!" "Speak in French, Alfred," she said, taking the initiative and addressing him in the language—her damask cheeks, her dimples, and her dancing eyes all being something lovely to behold. "I have not come alone, as I thought I should. A duenna, in the shape of the English governess, has charge of me." "Miss Chandos, the men are calling out that we must land."