She had passed Frances on the stairs--had there been any misunderstanding between Ovid and the governess?
"Have you seen Miss Minerva ?" she asked.
He put his arm round her, and seated her by him on the sofa.

"I don't understand Miss Minerva," he said.

"How is it that she came here, when I was expecting You ?" "She asked me, as a favour, to let her see you first; and she seemed to be so anxious about it that I gave way.

I didn't do wrong, Ovid--did I ?" "My darling, you are always kind, and always right! But why couldn't she say good-bye (with the others) downstairs?
Do _you_ understand this curious woman ?" "I think I do." She paused, and toyed with the hair over Ovid's forehead.

"Miss Minerva is fond of you, poor thing," she said innocently.
"Fond of me ?" The surprise which his tone expressed, failed to attract her attention.
She quietly varied the phrase that she had just used.
"Miss Minerva has a true regard for you--and knows that you don't return it," she explained, still playing with Ovid's hair.