We can sit and watch the sea and talk, and when you find it dull we will fill the house with young people, and play games and dance--dance by moonlight, if you like.

Or we can go fishing," I continued.

"There is a small yacht there and a couple of sailing-boats." She listened as though afraid of losing a single word.
"Tell me," I asked, "have you been lonely all your life, child ?" "All my life," she answered, and somehow or other her voice seemed to me full of tears, so that I was almost surprised to find her eyes dry.

"Yes, I have always been lonely!" she murmured.

"My uncle has been kind to me, but he has always some great scheme on hand, and Madame Muller--she would be kind if she knew how, I think, but she is as though she were made of wood.