"You are very clever, monsieur. I should never have thought of that! I imagined that mama would be vexed, and when mama is cross she is _so_ disagreeable. At other times, though, she is perfectly lovely! You will see how very beautiful she is, monsieur, for you are coming home with me to tell her how you found me--you are so very kind! How I wish you were my papa!" The old gentleman was touched by the little one's artless prattle. "Well, my dear little maid," he said tenderly, "we can't think of showing ourselves on the street in such a costume. Besides, it would frighten your mama to see you so. I am going out to one of the shops to buy you a frock. Tell me, what sort was it Diana took from you?" "A lovely pink silk, trimmed with lace, with short sleeves," promptly replied the little maid. "I shall not forget--a pink silk, trimmed with lace. You need not be afraid to stay alone here. No one will come while I am away." "Oh, I am not the least bit afraid. I like to be alone sometimes." "There is the doll to keep you company," suggested the old gentleman, more and more pleased with his affable little visitor. "Is n't she lovely!" enthusiastically exclaimed the child. "She slept with me last night, and every time I woke up I kissed her." "You shall have her for your own, if you like her so much, my dear." "Oh, thank you! Did the doll belong to your dear little daughter who is dead?" "Yes--yes," sorrowfully murmured the old gentleman. "Then I will not play with her, but keep her locked in my little cupboard, and call her Philine. That was the name of my little sister who is dead. Come here, Philine, and sit by me." "Perhaps you might like to look at a book while I am away--" "A book!" interrupted the child, with a merry laugh, clapping her hands. "Why, I am just learning the alphabet, and can't bring myself to call a two-pronged fork 'y.'" "You dear little innocent rogue!" tenderly ejaculated the old gentleman. "Are you fond of flowers?" He brought from the adjoining room a porcelain flowerpot containing a narcissus in bloom. "Oh, what a charming flower!" cried the child, admiringly. "How I wish I might pluck just one!" "Help yourself, my dear," returned her host, pushing the plant toward her. The child daintily broke off one of the snowy blossoms, and, with childlike coquetry, fastened it in the trimming of her chemise. "What is this beautiful flower called, monsieur?" "The narcissus." At mention of the name the little maid suddenly clapped her hands and cried joyfully: "Why, that is the name of our palace! Now don't you know where it is?" "The 'Palace of Narcissus'? I have heard of it." "Then you will have no trouble finding my home. Oh, you dear good little flower!" and she kissed the snowy blossom rapturously. The old gentleman surveyed her smilingly for a few moments, then said: "I will go now, and buy the frock." "And while you are away I shall tell Philine the story of Gargantua," responded the child.