Come here, Philine, and sit by me." "Perhaps you might like to look at a book while I am away--" "A book!" interrupted the child, with a merry laugh, clapping her hands.
"Why, I am just learning the alphabet, and can't bring myself to call a two-pronged fork 'y.'" "You dear little innocent rogue!" tenderly ejaculated the old gentleman.
"Are you fond of flowers ?" He brought from the adjoining room a porcelain flowerpot containing a narcissus in bloom.
"Oh, what a charming flower!" cried the child, admiringly.

"How I wish I might pluck just one!" "Help yourself, my dear," returned her host, pushing the plant toward her.
The child daintily broke off one of the snowy blossoms, and, with childlike coquetry, fastened it in the trimming of her chemise.
"What is this beautiful flower called, monsieur ?" "The narcissus." At mention of the name the little maid suddenly clapped her hands and cried joyfully: "Why, that is the name of our palace! Now don't you know where it is ?" "The 'Palace of Narcissus'?
I have heard of it." "Then you will have no trouble finding my home.

Oh, you dear good little flower!" and she kissed the snowy blossom rapturously.
The old gentleman surveyed her smilingly for a few moments, then said: "I will go now, and buy the frock." "And while you are away I shall tell Philine the story of Gargantua," responded the child.
"Lock the door after me, my dear, and do not open it until I mention my name: Alfred Cambray--" "Oh, I should forget the second one! Just say, 'Papa Alfred'; I can remember that." When the child was certain that the old gentleman had left the house, she began hastily to search the room.

She peered into every corner and crevice.

Then she went into the adjoining chamber, and opened every drawer and cupboard.