"The very same. Her name is not Vawse — the country people call it so, and I being one of the country people have fallen into the way of it; but her real name is Vosier. She was born a Swiss, and brought up in a wealthy French family, as the personal attendant of a young lady to whom she became exceedingly attached. This lady finally married an American gentleman; and so great was Mrs. Vawse's love to her, that she left country and family to follow her here. In a few years her mistress died; she married; and since that time she has been tossed from trouble to trouble — a perfect sea of troubles — till now she is left like a wreck upon this mountain top. A fine wreck she is! I go to see her very often, and next time I will call for you and we will propose our French plan; nothing will please her better, I know. By the way, Ellen, are you as well versed in the other common branches of education as you are in your mother tongue?" "What do you mean, Miss Alice?" "Geography, for instance; do you know it well?" "Yes, Ma’am; I believe so; I am sure I have studied it till I am sick of it." "Can you give me the boundaries of Great Thibet or Peru?" Ellen hesitated. "I had rather not try," she said — "I am not sure. I can't remember those queer countries in Asia and South America, half so well as Europe and North America." "Do you know anything about the surface of the country in Italy or France — the character and condition of the people — what kind of climate they have, and what grows there most freely?" "Why, no, Ma’am," said Ellen; "nobody ever taught me that." "Would you like to go over the atlas again, talking about all these matters, as well as the mere outlines of the countries you have studied before?" "Oh, yes, dearly!" exclaimed Ellen. "Well, I think we may let Margery have the tea-things. But here is Captain's cake." "Oh, may I give him his supper?" said Ellen. "Certainly. You must carve it for him; you know I told you he is very particular. Give him some of the egg, too — he likes that. Now, where is the Captain?" Not far off; for scarcely had Alice opened the door and called him once or twice, when, with a queer little note of answer, he came hurriedly trotting in. "He generally has his supper in the outer kitchen," said Alice — "but I grant him leave to have it here to-night, as a particular honour to him and you." "How handsome he is! and how large!" said Ellen. "Yes, he is very handsome; and more than that, he is very sensible for a cat. Do you see how prettily his paws are marked? Jack used to say he had white gloves on." "And white boots, too," said Ellen. "No, only one leg is white; pussy's boots aren't mates. Is he good-natured?" "Very — if you don't meddle with him." "I don't call that being good-natured," said Ellen, laughing.