He begged Pollyooly to demand that she too should have a holiday.

But this she would not do.

She had seen the world at too close quarters to throw away things idly; and she was learning French.

Indeed, the lessons had been reduced to French because Pollyooly had heard the Esmeralda say that she found her knowledge of French a perfect blessing; and agreeing with her, the Honourable John Ruffin had said that to an artist who danced on the continent and in the Americas, French must be worth hundreds a year.
Pollyooly had the firmest intention of dancing herself on the continent and in the Americas, and she applied herself to learning the French tongue with the vigour and tenacity with which she worked at her dancing.

Miss Belthorp was astonished at the quickness with which she learnt; and she talked with enthusiasm to the duke of his daughter's gift for languages.
"She has: has she ?" said the duke; and he looked at her somewhat queerly.
"It's perfectly wonderful!" said Miss Belthorp.
"Oh, well: it's a very good thing.