Frances--yes, I call her by her Christian name, and she calls me by mine!--Frances will console me, and make my life as happy as it can be till you come back." Excepting bad temper, and merciless cultivation of the minds of children, Ovid knew of nothing that justified his prejudice against the governess.

Still, Carmina's sudden conversion inspired him with something like alarm.

"I suppose you have good reasons for what you tell me," he said.
"The best reasons," she replied, in the most positive manner.
He considered for a moment how he could most delicately inquire what those reasons might be.

But valuable opportunities may be lost, even in a moment.

"Will you help me to do justice to Miss Minerva ?" he cautiously began.
"Hush!" Carmina interposed.