As the chapter went on my voice indiscreetly rose: "When I was yet young, or ever I went astray, I desired wisdom openly in my prayer.
"I prayed for her before the temple, and will seek her out even to the end.
"Even from the flower till the grape was ripe hath my heart delighted in her: my foot went the right way, from my youth up I sought after her.
"I bowed down mine ear a little, and received her, and gat much learning.
* * * * * "Draw near unto me, ye unlearned, and dwell in the house of learning.
* * * * * "Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul receive instruction: she is hard at hand to find.
"Behold with your eyes, how that I have had but little labour, and have gotten unto me much rest.
"Get learning----" "Eh, mesdemoiselles! This is going to bed, is it?
Ah! Give me that book, then." I handed over in much confusion the thin S.P.C.K.

copy of the Apocrypha, bound in mottled calf, from which I had been reading; and ordering us to go to bed at once, Madame took her departure.
Madame could read English well, though she spoke it imperfectly.

The next day she did not speak of the volume, and we supposed her to be examining it.

Then Eleanor became anxious to get it back, and tried both argument and entreaty, for some time, in vain.

At last Madame said: "What is it, mademoiselle, that you so much wish to read in this volume of the holy writings ?" "Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus are what I like best," said Eleanor.
"Eh bien!" said Madame, nodding her head like a porcelain Chinaman, and with a very knowing glance.