Victoire's heart was so full that she could not speak--she kissed Madame de Fleury's hand in silence, and then seemed to be lost in contemplation of her bracelet. "Are you thinking, Victoire, that you should be much happier if you had such bracelets as these? Believe me, you are mistaken if you think so; many people are unhappy who wear fine bracelets; so, my child, content yourself." "Myself! Oh, madame, I was not thinking of myself--I was not wishing for bracelets; I was only thinking that--" "That what?" "That it is a pity you are so very rich; you have everything in this world that you want, and I can never be of the least use to _you_--all my life I shall never be able to do _you_ any good--and what," said Victoire, turning away to hide her tears, "what signifies the gratitude of such a poor little creature as I am?" "Did you never hear the fable of the lion and the mouse, Victoire?" "No, madame--never!" "Then I will tell it to you." Victoire looked up with eyes of eager expectation--Francois opened the door to announce that the Marquis de M--- and the Comte de S--- were in the saloon; but Madame de Fleury stayed to tell Victoire her fable--she would not lose the opportunity of making an impression upon this child's heart. It is whilst the mind is warm that the deepest impressions can be made. Seizing the happy moment sometimes decides the character and the fate of a child. In this respect, what advantages have the rich and great in educating the children of the poor! they have the power which their rank and all its decorations obtain over the imagination. Their smiles are favours; their words are listened to as oracular; they are looked up to as beings of a superior order. Their powers of working good are almost as great, though not quite so wonderful, as those formerly attributed to beneficent fairies. CHAPTER VI "Knowledge for them unlocks her _useful_ page, And virtue blossoms for a better age."--BARBAULD.