I am forced to keep the eyes of lynx upon these young persons, otherwise heaven knows what would come to them.
Only yesterday, my back is turned for a moment, I cast my eyes on a book, having but little time for literature, monsieur--for literature, which I adore--when a cry makes itself to hear.

I turn myself, and what do I see?
Mesdemoiselles, your nieces, playing at criquette, with the Messieurs Smees--sons of Doctor Smees--young galopins, monsieur!" All this was shrieked with immense volubility and many actions of the hand and parasol across the square-railings to the amused Colonel, at whom the little girls peered through the bars.
"Well, my dears, I should like to have a game at cricket with you, too," says the kind gentleman, reaching them each a brown hand.
"You, monsieur, c'est different--a man of your age! Salute monsieur, your uncle, mesdemoiselles.

You conceive, monsieur, that I also must be cautious when I speak to a man so distinguished in a public squar." And she cast down her great eyes and hid those radiant orbs from the Colonel.
Meanwhile, Colonel Newcome, indifferent to the direction which Miss Lebrun's eyes took, whether towards his hat or his boots, was surveying his little nieces with that kind expression which his face always wore when it was turned towards children.

"Have you heard of your uncle in India ?" he asked them.
"No," says Maria.
"Yes," says Fanny.

"You know mademoiselle said" (mademoiselle at this moment was twittering her fingers, and, as it were, kissing them in the direction of a grand barouche that was advancing along the Square)--"you know mademoiselle said that if we were mechantes we should be sent to our uncle in India.