Mr.Power thought he would take advantage of the halt to run up to Paris, leaving De Stancy in charge of the ladies.
In more ways than in the illness of Charlotte this day was the harbinger of a crisis.
It was a summer evening without a cloud.

Charlotte had fallen asleep in her bed, and Paula, who had been sitting by her, looked out into the Place St.Denis, which the hotel commanded.

The lawn of the square was all ablaze with red and yellow clumps of flowers, the acacia trees were brightly green, the sun was soft and low.

Tempted by the prospect Paula went and put on her hat; and arousing her aunt, who was nodding in the next room, to request her to keep an ear on Charlotte's bedroom, Paula descended into the Rue de Noyon alone, and entered the green enclosure.
While she walked round, two or three little children in charge of a nurse trundled a large variegated ball along the grass, and it rolled to Paula's feet.

She smiled at them, and endeavoured to return it by a slight kick.