Patty in Paris

BY

CAROLYN WELLSAuthor of "Patty Fairfield, " "Patty'sSummer Days, " etc. 

ILLUSTRATED

NEW YORKSeptember, 1907

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I PLANS FOR PATTY II THE DECISION III SOUVENIRS IV AN AQUATIC PARTY V GOOD-BYES VI THE OLD MA'AMSELLE VII WESTERN FRIENDSVIII DAYS AT SEA IX PARIS X SIGHTSEEING XI AN EXCURSION TO VERSAILLES XII SHOPPINGXIII CHANTILLY XIV MAKING A HOME XV ST. GERMAIN XVI AN EXPECTED GUESTXVII A MOTOR RIDEXVIII A NEW YEAR FETEXIX CYCLAMEN PERFUMEXX THE BAZAARXXI A SURPRISE

ILLUSTRATIONS

"A long blue veil tied her trim little hat in place"

"'There never was such a dear, lovely, beautiful stepmother on the faceof the earth!'"

"The next morning the girls spent in packing and getting ready to goashore"

"They also read books of history outside of school hours quite fromchoice. "

"They were all perched on Patty's big bed--alone at last"

"'I just remember! I left my purse on the seat!'"

CHAPTER I

PLANS FOR PATTY

The Fairfields were holding a family conclave. As the Fairfield familyconsisted of only three members, the meeting was not large but it washighly enthusiastic. The discussion was about Patty; and as aconsequence, Patty herself was taking a lively part in it. 

"But you promised me, last year, papa, " she said, "that if I graduatedfrom the Oliphant School with honours, I needn't go to school thisyear. "

"But I meant in the city, " explained her father; "it's absurd, Patty, for you to consider your education finished, and you not yet eighteen. "

"But I'll soon be eighteen, papa, and so suppose we postpone thisconversation until then. "

"Don't be frivolous, my child. This is a serious matter, and requirescareful consideration and wise judgement. "

"That's so, " said Nan, "and as I have already considered it carefully, Iwill give you the benefit of my wise judgment. "

Though Nan's face had assumed the expression of an owl named Solomon, there was a smile in her eyes, and Patty well knew that her stepmother'sviews agreed with her own, rather than with those of her father. 

It was the last week in September, and the Fairfields were again intheir pleasant city home after their summer in the country. 

Patty and Nan were both fond of city life, and were looking forward to adelightful winter. Of course Patty was too young to be in society, butthere were many simple pleasures which she was privileged to enjoy, andshe and Nan had planned a series of delightful affairs, quite apart fromthe more elaborate functions which Nan would attend with her husband. 

But Mr. Fairfield had suddenly interfered with their plans by announcinghis decision that Patty should go to college. 

This had raised such a storm of dissension from both Nan and Patty thatMr. Fairfield so far amended his resolution as to propose a boarding-school instead. 

But Patty was equally dismayed at the thought of either, and rebelled atthe suggestion of going away from home. And as Nan quite coincided withPatty in her opinions on this matter, she was fighting bravely for theirvictory against Mr. Fairfield's very determined opposition. 

All her life Patty had deferred to her father's advice, not onlywillingly, but gladly; but in the matter of school she had very strongprejudices. She had never enjoyed school life, and during her last yearat Miss Oliphant's she had worked so hard that she had almost succumbedto an attack of nervous prostration. But she had persevered in her hardwork because of the understanding that it was to be her last year atschool; and now to have college or even a boarding-school thrown at herhead was enough to rouse even her gentle spirit. 

For Patty was of gentle spirit, although upon occasion, especially whenshe felt that an injustice was being done, she could rouse herself todefinite and impetuous action. 

And as she now frankly told her father, she considered it unjust aftershe had thought that commencement marked the end of her school life, tohave a college course sprung upon her unaware. 

But Mr. Fairfield only laughed and told her that she was incapable ofjudging what was best for little girls, and that she would do wisely toobey orders without question. 

But Patty had questioned, and her questions were reinforced by those ofNan, until Mr. Fairfield began to realise that it was doubtful if hecould gain his point against their combined forces. And indeed a kindand indulgent father and husband is at a disadvantage when his opinionis opposed to that of his pretty, impulsive daughter and his charming, impulsive wife. 

So, at this by no means the first serious discussion of the matter, Mr. Fairfield found himself weakening, and had already acknowledged tohimself that he might as well prepare to yield gracefully. 

"Go on, Nan, " cried Patty, "give us the benefit of your wise judgment"

"Why, I think, " said Nan, looking at her husband with an adorable smile, which seemed to assume that he would agree with her, "that a collegeeducation is advisable, even necessary, for a girl who expects to teach, or indeed, to follow any profession. But I'm quite sure we don't lookforward to that for Patty. "

"No, " said Mr. Fairfield; "I can't seem to see Patty teaching a districtschool how to shoot; neither does my imagination picture her as a womandoctor or a lady lawyer. But to my mind there are occasions in the lifeof a private citizeness when a knowledge of classic lore is not onlybeneficial but decidedly ornamental. "

"Now, papa, " began Patty, "I'm not going to spend my life as a butterflyof fashion or a grasshopper of giddiness, and you know it; but all thesame, I can't think of a single occasion where I should be embarrassedat my ignorance of Sanscrit, or distressed at the fact that I wasunacquainted personally with the statutes of limitation. "

"You're talking nonsense, Patty, and you know it. The straight truth is, that you don't like school life and school restraint. Now some girlsenjoy the fun and pleasures of college life, and think that they morethan compensate for the drudgery of actual study. "

"'An exile from home, pleasure dazzles in vain, '" sang Patty, whosespirits had risen, for she felt intuitively that her father was about togive up his cherished plans. 

"I think, " went on Nan, "after you have asked for my valuable advice, you might let me give it without so many interruptions. I will proceedto remark that I am still of the opinion that there are only two reasonswhy a girl should go to college: Because she wants to, or because sheneeds the diploma in her future career. "

"Since you put it so convincingly, I have no choice but to agree withyou, " said her husband, smiling. "However, if I eliminate the collegesuggestion, there still remains the boarding-school. I think that asuperior young ladies' finishing school would add greatly to theadvantages of our Patty. "

"It would finish me entirely, papa; your college scheme is bad enough, but a 'finishing school, ' as you call it, presents to my fancy all sortsof unknown horrors. "

"Of course it does, " cried Nan. "I will now give you some more of mywise advice. A finishing school would be of no advantage at all to ourPatty. I believe their principal end and aim is to teach young ladieshow to enter a room properly. Now I have never seen Patty enter a roomexcept in the most correct, decorous, and highly approved fashion. Itdoes seem foolish then to send the poor child away for a year topractise an art in which she is already proficient. "

"You two are one too many for me, " said Mr. Fairfield, laughing. "If Ihad either of you alone, I could soon reduce you to a state of meekobedience; but your combined forces are too much for me, and I may aswell surrender at once and completely. "

"No; but seriously, Fred, you must see that it is really so. Now whatPatty needs in the way of education, is the best possible instruction inmusic, which she can have better here in New York than in any college;then she ought to go on with her French, in which she is alreadyremarkably proficient. Then perhaps an hour a day of reading well-selected literature with a competent teacher, and I'll guarantee that ayear at home will do more for Patty than any school full of masters. "

Mr. Fairfield looked at his young wife in admiration. "Why, Nan, Ibelieve you're right, " he said, "though I don't believe it because ofany change in my own opinions, but because you put it so convincinglythat I haven't an argument left. "

Nan only smiled, and went on. 

"You said yourself, Fred, that Patty disliked the routine and restraintof school life, and so I think it would be cruel to force her into itwhen she can be so much happier at home. Here she will have ample timefor all the study I have mentioned, and still have leisure for thepleasures that she needs and deserves. I shall look after her singinglessons myself, and make sure that she practises properly. Then I shalltake her to the opera and to concerts, which, though really a part ofher musical education, may also afford her some slight pleasure. "

Patty flew over to Nan and threw her arms about her neck. "You dear oldduck, " she cried; "there never was such a dear, lovely, beautifulstepmother on the face of the earth! And now it's all settled, isn't it, papa?"

"It seems to be, " said Mr. Fairfield, smiling. "But on your own heads bethe consequences. I put Patty into your hands now, so far as her futureeducation is concerned, and you can fix it up between you. To tell thetruth, I'm delighted myself at the thought of having Patty stay homewith us, but my sense of duty made me feel that I must at least put thematter before her. "

"And you did, " cried Patty gleefully, "and now I've put it behind me, and that's all there is about that. And I'll promise, papa, to studyawfully hard on my French and music; and as for reading, that will be nohardship, for I'd rather read than eat any day. "

Mr. Fairfield had really acquiesced to the wishes of the others out ofhis sheer kind-heartedness. For he did not think that the lessons athome would be as definite and regular as at a school, and he still heldhis original opinions in the matter. But having waived his theories fortheirs, he raised no further objection and seemed to consider thequestion settled. 

After a moment, however, he said thoughtfully: "What you really ought tohave, Patty, is a year abroad. That would do more for you in the way ofgeneral information and liberal education than anything else. "

"Now THAT would be right down splendid, " said Patty. "Come on, papa, let's all go. "

"I would in a minute, dear, but I can't leave my business just now. Ithas increased alarmingly of late and it needs my constant attention tokeep up with it. Indeed it is becoming so ridiculously successful thatunless I can check it we shall soon be absurdly rich people. "

"Then you can retire, " said Nan, "and we can all go abroad for Patty'sbenefit. "

"Yes, " said Mr. Fairfield seriously, "after a year or two we can dothat. I sha'n't exactly retire, but I shall get the business into suchshape that I can take a long vacation, and then we'll all go out and seethe world. But that doesn't seem to have anything to do with Patty'simmediate future. I have thought over this a great deal, and if youdon't go to college, Patty, I should like very much to have you goabroad sooner than I can take you. But I can't see any way for you togo. I can't spare Nan to go with you, and I'm not sure you would care togo with one of those parties of personally conducted young ladies. "

"No, indeed!" cried Patty. "I'm crazy to go to Europe, but I don't wantto go with six other girls and a chaperon, and go flying along from onecountry to the next, with a Baedeker in one hand and a suit case in theother. I'd much rather wait and go with you and Nan, later on. "

"Well, I haven't finished thinking it out yet, " said Mr. Fairfield, who, in spite of his apparent pliability, had a strong will of his own. "Imay send you across in charge of a reliable guardian, and put you into aFrench convent. "

[Illustration with caption: "'There never was such a dear, lovely, beautiful stepmother on the face of the earth!'"]

Patty only laughed at this, but still she had a vague feeling that herfather was not yet quite done with the subject, and that almost anythingmight happen. 

But as Kenneth Harper came in to see them just then, the question waslaid before him. 

"There is no sense in Patty's going to college, " he declared. "I'm anauthority on the subject, because I know college and I know Patty, andthey have absolutely nothing in common with each other. Why, Pattydoesn't want the things that colleges teach. You see, she is of anartistic temperament--"

"Oh, Kenneth, " cried Patty reproachfully, "that's the most fearfullyunkind thing I ever had said to me! Why, I would rather be accused of Idon't know WHAT than an artistic temperament! How COULD you say it? Why, I'm as practical and common sensible and straightforward as I can be. People who have artistic temperaments are flighty and weak-minded andnot at all capable. "

"Why, Patty, " cried Nan, laughing, "how can you make such sweepingassertions? Mr. Hepworth is an artist, and he isn't all those dreadfulthings. "

"That's different, " declared Patty. "Mr. Hepworth is a real artist, andso you can't tell what his temperament is. "

"But that's just what I mean, " insisted Kenneth; "Hepworth is a realartist, and so he didn't have and didn't need a college education. Hespecialised and devoted all his study to his art. Then he went to Parisand stayed there for years, still studying and working. I tell you, it'sspecialisation that counts. Now I don't know that Patty wants tospecialise, but she certainly doesn't need the general work of college. I should think that you would prefer to have her devote herself to hermusic, especially her singing; for we all know that Patty's is a voiceof rare promise. I don't know myself exactly what 'rare promise' means, but it's a phrase that's always applied to voices like Patty's. "

"You're just right, Kenneth, " said Nan, "and I'm glad you're on ourside. Patty and I entirely agree with you, and though Mr. Fairfield isstill wavering a little, I am sure that by day after to-morrow, or nextweek at the latest, he will be quite ready to cast in his lot withours. "

Mr. Fairfield only smiled, for though he had no intention of makingPatty do anything against her will, yet he had not entirely made up hismind in the matter. 

"Anyway, my child, " he said, "whatever you do or don't do, will be thething that we are entirely agreed upon, even if I have to convince youthat my opinions are right. "

And Patty smiled back at her father happily, for there was greatcomradeship and sympathy between them. 

CHAPTER II

THE DECISION

It was only a few days later that Nan and Patty sat one evening in thelibrary waiting for Mr. Fairfield to come home to dinner. 

The Fairfield library was a most cosey and attractive room. Nan was ahome-maker by nature, and as Patty dearly loved pretty and comfortableappointments, they had combined their efforts on the library and theresult was a room which they all loved far better than the more formaldrawing-room. 

The fall was coming early that year, which gave an excuse for the firein the big fireplace. This fire was made of that peculiar kind ofdriftwood whose flames show marvellous rainbow tints. Patty never tiredof watching the strange-coloured blaze, and delighted in throwing onmore chips and splinters from time to time. 

"I can't see what makes your father so late, " said Nan, as she wanderedabout the room, now adjusting some flowers in a vase, and now stoppingto look out at the front window; "he's always here by this time, orearlier. "

"Something must have detained him, " said Patty, rather absently, as shepoked at a log with the tongs. 

"Patty, you're a true Sherlock Holmes! Your father is late, and youimmediately deduce that something has detained him! Truly, you have awonderful intellect!"

"I don't wonder it seems so to you, " said saucy Patty, smiling at herpretty stepmother; "people are always impressed by traits they don'tpossess themselves. "

"But really I'm getting worried. If Fred doesn't come pretty soon Ishall telephone to the office. "

"Do; I like to see you enacting the role of anxious young wife. It suitsyou perfectly. As for me, I'm starving; if papa doesn't come prettysoon, he will find an emaciated skeleton in place of the plump daughterhe left behind him. "

As Mr. Fairfield arrived at that moment, there was no occasion forfurther anxiety, but in response to their queries he gave them nosatisfaction as to the cause of his unusual tardiness, and only smiledat their exclamations. 

It was not until they were seated at the dinner table that Mr. Fairfieldannounced he had something to tell them. 

"And I'm sure it's something nice, " said Patty, "for there's a twinklein the left corner of your right eye. "

"Gracious, Patty!" cried Nan, "that sounds as if your father were cross-eyed, and he isn't. "

"Well, " went on Mr. Fairfield, "what I have to tell you is just this: Ihave arranged for the immediate future of Miss Patricia Fairfield. "

Patty looked frightened. There was something in her father's tone thatmade her feel certain that his mind was irrevocably made up, and thatwhatever plans he had made for her were sure to be carried out. But sheresolved to treat it lightly until she found out what it was all about. 

"I don't want to be intrusive, " she said, "but if not too presumptuous, might I inquire what is to become of me?"

"Yours not to make reply, yours not to reason why, " said her fatherteasingly. "You know, my child, you're not yet of age, and I, as yourlegal parent and guardian, can do whatever I please with you. You are, as Mr. Shakespeare puts it, 'my goods, my chattel, ' and so I havedecided to pack you up and send you away. "

"Really, papa!" cried Patty, aghast. 

"Yes, really. I remember you expressed a disinclination to leave yourhome and family, but all the same I have made arrangements for you to doso. It was the detailing of these arrangements that kept me so late atmy office to-night. "

Patty looked at her father. She understood his bantering tone, and fromthe twinkle in his eye she knew that whatever plans he may have made, they were pleasant ones; and, too, she knew that notwithstanding his airof authority she needn't abide by them unless she chose to. So shewaited contentedly enough for his serious account of the matter, and itsoon came. 

"Why, it's this way, chickabiddy, " he said. "Mr. Farrington came to seeme at the office this afternoon, and laid a plan before me. It seemsthat he and Mrs. Farrington and Elise are going to Paris for the winter, and he brought from himself and his wife an invitation for you to gowith them. "

"Oh!" said Patty. She scarcely breathed the word, but her eyes shonelike stars, and her face expressed the delight that the thought of sucha plan brought to her. 

"Oh!" she said again, as thoughts of further details came crowding intoher mind. 

"How perfectly glorious!" cried Nan, whose enthusiasm ran to words, asPatty seemed struck dumb. "It's the very thing! just what Patty needs. And to go with the Farringtons is the most delightful way to make such atrip. Tell us all about it, Fred. When do they start? Shall I have timeto get Patty some clothes? No, she'd better buy them over there. Oh, Patty, you'll have the most rapturous time! Do say something, you littlegoose! Don't sit there blinking as if you didn't understand what's goingon. Tell us more about it, Fred. "

"I will, my dear, if you'll only give me a chance. The Farringtons meanto sail very soon--in about a fortnight. They will go on a French linerand go at once to Paris. Except for possible short trips, they will stayin the city all winter. Then the girls can study French, or music, orwhatever they like, and incidentally have some fun, I dare say. Mr. Farrington seemed truly anxious to have Patty go, although I warned himthat she was a difficult young person to manage. But he said he had hadexperience in that line last summer, and found that it was possible toget along with her. Anyway, he was most urgent in the matter, and saidthat if I agreed to it, Mrs. Farrington and Elise would come over andinvite her personally. "

"Am I to be their guest entirely, papa?" asked Patty. 

"Mr. Farrington insisted that you should, but I wouldn't agree to that. I shall pay all your travelling expenses, hotel bills, and incidentals. But if they take a furnished house in Paris for the season, as theyexpect to do, you will stay there as their guest. "

"Oh, " cried Patty, who had found her voice at last, "I do think it's toolovely for anything! And you are so good, papa, to let me go. But won'tit cost a great deal, and can you afford it?"

"It will be somewhat expensive, my dear, but I can afford it, for, as Itold you, my finances are looking up. And, too, I consider this a partof your education, and so look upon it as a necessary outlay. But youmust remember that the Farringtons are far more wealthy people than we, and though you can afford the necessary travelling expenses, youprobably cannot be as extravagant in the matter of personal expenditureas they. I shall give you what I consider an ample allowance of pinmoney, and then you must be satisfied with the number of pins it willbuy. "

"That doesn't worry me, " declared Patty. "I'm so delighted to go that Idon't care if I don't buy a thing over there. "

"You'll change your mind when you get there and get into the wonderfulParis shops, " said her father, smiling; "but never fear, puss; you'llhave enough francs to buy all the pretty dresses and gewgaws and knick-knacks that it's proper for a little girl like you to have. How old areyou now, Patty?"

"Almost eighteen, papa. "

"Almost eighteen, indeed! You mean you're only fairly well pastseventeen. But it doesn't matter. Remember you're a little girl, and nota society young lady, and conduct yourself accordingly. "

"Mrs. Farrington will look out for that, " said Nan; "she has the bestpossible ideas about such things, and she brings up Elise exactly inaccordance with my notions of what is right. "

"That settles it, " said Mr. Fairfield; "I shall have no further anxietyon that score since Nan approves of the outlook. But, Patty girl, we'regoing to miss you here. "

"Yes, indeed, " cried Nan. "I hadn't realised that side of it. Oh, Patty, we had planned so many things for this winter, and now I shall be aloneall day and every day!"

"Come on, and go with me, " said Patty, mischievously. 

"No, " said Nan, smiling at her husband; "I have a stronger tie here eventhan your delightful companionship. But truly we shall miss youawfully. "

"Of course you will, " said Patty, "and I'll miss you, too. But we'llwrite each other long letters, and oh! I do think the whole game isperfectly lovely. "

"So do I, " agreed Nan; and then followed such a lot of feminine planningand chatter that Mr. Fairfield declared his advice seemed not to beneeded. 

The next morning Nan and Patty went over to the Farringtons to discussthe great subject. They expressed to Mrs. Farrington their hearty thanksfor her kind invitation, but she insisted that the kindness was all onPatty's side, as her company would be a great delight, not only toElise, but also to the elder members of the party. 

"Isn't Roger going?" asked Patty. 

"No, " said Mrs. Farrington; "this is his last year in college, so ofcourse he can't leave. The other children are in school, too, so itseemed just the right year for us to take Elise abroad for a littleouting. A winter in Paris will do both of you girls good in lots ofways, and if for any reason we don't enjoy it, we can go somewhere else, or we can turn around and come home, and no harm done. " Although thetrip seemed such a great event to Patty, Mrs. Farrington appeared tolook upon it merely as a little outing, and seemed so thoroughly glad tohave Patty go with them that she almost made Patty feel as if she wereconferring the favour. 

Elise and Patty went away by themselves to talk it all over, while Nanstayed with Mrs. Farrington to discuss the more practical details. 

"I didn't care a bit about going, " said Elise, "until we thought aboutyour going too, and now I'm crazy to go. Oh, Patty, won't we have themost gorgeous time!"

"Yes, indeed, " said Patty; "I can hardly realise it yet. I'm perfectlybewildered. Shall we go to school, Elise?"

"I don't think so, and yet we may. Mother's going to take a house, youknow, and then we'll either have masters every day, or go to someschool. Mother knows all about Paris. She has lived there a lot. But wesha'n't have to study all the time, I know that much. We'll go sight-seeing a good deal, and of course we'll go motoring. "

"I shall enjoy the ocean trip, " said Patty; "I've never been across, youknow. You've been a number of times, haven't you?"

"Yes, but not very lately. We used to go often when Roger and I werelittle, but I haven't been over for six years, and then we weren't inParis. "

"I'm sure I shall love Paris. Do you remember it well?"

"No; when I was there last I was too little to appreciate it, so we'llexplore it together, you and I. I wish Roger were going with us; it'snice to have a boy along to escort us about. "

"Yes, it is, " said Patty frankly; "and Roger is so kind and good-natured. When do we sail, Elise?"

"Two weeks from Saturday, I think. Father is going to see about thetickets to-day. He waited to see your father yesterday, and make surethat you could go. The whole thing has been planned rather suddenly, butthat's the way father always does things. "

"And it's so fortunate, " went on Patty, "that I hadn't started away tocollege or boarding-school. Although if I had, and you had invited me, Ishould have managed some way to get expelled from college, so I could gowith you. How long do you suppose we shall stay, Elise?"

"I don't know, I'm sure. You never can tell what the Farringtons aregoing to do; they're here to-day and gone to-morrow. We'll stay allwinter, of course, and then in the spring, mother might take a notion togo to London, or she might decide to come flying home. As for father, he'll probably bob back and forth. He doesn't think any more of crossingthe ocean than of crossing the street. Have you much to do to get readyto go?"

"No, not much. Nan says for me not to get a lot of clothes, for it'sbetter to buy them over there; and papa says I can buy all I want, onlyof course I can't be as extravagant as you are. "

"Oh, pshaw, I'm not extravagant! I don't care much about spending money, only of course I like to have some nice things. And I do love to buypictures and books. But we'll have an awful lot of fun together. I thinkit's fun just to be with you, Patty. And the idea of having you all tomyself for a whole winter, without Hilda, or Lorraine, or anybodyclaiming a part of you, is the best of it all. I do love you a lot, Patty, more than you realise, I think. "

"You've set your affections on a worthless object, then; and I warn youthat before the winter is over you're likely to discover that foryourself. You always did overestimate me, Elise. "

"Indeed I didn't; but as you well know, from that first day at theOliphant school, when you were so kind to me, I've never liked anybodyhalf as much as I do you. "

"You're extremely flattering, " said Patty, as she kissed her friend, "and I only hope this winter won't prove a disillusion. "

"I'm not at all afraid, " returned Elise gaily; "and oh, Patty, won't wehave a jolly time on board the steamer! It's a long trip, you know, andwe must take books to read and games to play, for as there'll probablybe mostly French people on board, we can't converse very much. "

"You can, " said Patty, laughing, "but I'm afraid no one can understandmy beautiful but somewhat peculiar accent. "

III

SOUVENIRS

Marian came over to spend a few days with Patty before her departure. She was frankly envious of Patty's good fortune, but more than that, shewas so desperately doleful at the thought of Patty's going away that shewas anything but a cheerful visitor. 

Although sorry for her cousin, Patty couldn't help laughing at thedejected picture that Marian continually presented. She followed Pattyaround the house wherever she went, or she would sit and look at herwith her chin held in her hands, and the big tears rolling down hercheeks. 

"Marian, you are a goose, " said Patty, exasperated by this performance. "When I left Vernondale you cried and carried on just this way, butsomehow you seemed to live through it. And now that I live in New Yorkyou don't see me so very often anyhow, so why should you be sodisconsolate about my going away?"

"Because you're going so far, and you'll probably be drowned--thoseFrench steamers are ever so much more dangerous than the English lines--and somehow I just feel as if you'd never come back. "

"Well, the best thing you can do then is to change your feelings. I'llbe back before you hardly realise that I'm gone; and I'll bring you theloveliest presents you ever saw. "

This was a happy suggestion of Patty's, for Marian's tears ceased toflow and she brightened up at once. 

"Oh, Patty, that is just what I wanted to talk to you about! If you aregoing to bring me anything in the way of a gift or a souvenir, wouldn'tyou just as lieve I'd tell you what I want, as to have you pick it outyourself, and likely as not bring me something I don't care for at all?Everybody who brings me home souvenirs from Europe brings the mosthideous things, or else something that I can't possibly use. "

"Why, Marian, dear, I'd be only too glad to have you tell me what youwant, and I'll do my best to select it just right. "

"Well, Patty, I want a lot of photographs. The kind we get over here areno good. But I've seen the ones that come from Paris, and they're justas different as day and night. I'd like the Venus of Milo and the MonaLisa and the Victory and--oh, well--I'll make you out a list. There areseveral Madonnas that I want, and several more that I DON'T want. And Ido NOT want any of Nattier's pictures or a "Baby Stuart, " but I do wantsome of Hinde's hair curlers--the tortoise-shell kind, I mean--and youcan only get them in Paris. "

By this time Patty was shaking with laughter at Marian's list, and sheasked her if she didn't want anything else but photographs and haircurlers. 

"Why, yes, " said Marian, astonished; "I've only just begun. You knowphotographs don't cost much over there, and of course the curlers won'tcount for a present. I thought you meant to bring me something nice. "

"I do, " said Patty, looking at her cousin, who was so comically inearnest. "You just go on with your list, and I'll bring all the things, if I have to buy an extra trunk to bring them in. "

"All right, then, " said Marian, encouraged to proceed. "I want a beadbag--one of those gay coloured ones made of very small beads, worked inold-fashioned flowers, roses, you know, or hibiscus--not on any accountthe tulip pattern, because I hate it. "

"You'd better write out these instructions, Marian, or I shall be sureto get tulips by mistake. "

"Don't you do it, Patty; I'll write them all down most explicitly. Andthen I want a scarf, a very long one, cream-coloured ground, with aPersian border in blues and greys. But not a palm-leaf border--I meanthat queer stencilled sort of a design; I'll draw a pattern of it so youcan't mistake it. "

"But suppose I can't find just that kind, Marian. "

"Oh, yes, you can! Ethel Holmes has one, and hers came from Paris. Andyou've all winter to look for it, you know. "

"Well, I'll devote the winter to the search, but if I don't find italong toward spring I'll give it up. What else, Marian?"

"Well, I'd like a lot of Napoleon things. Some old prints of him, youknow, and perhaps a little bronze statuette, and a cup and saucer orpen-wiper, or any of those things that they make with pictures ofNapoleon on. And then--oh! Patty, I do want some Cyclamen perfumery. It's awfully hard to get. There's only one firm that makes it. I forgetthe name, but it's Something Bros. & Co. , and their place is across theSeine. "

"Across the Seine from what?"

"Why, just across. On the other side, you know. Of course I don't knowacross from what, because I've never been to Paris; but everybody whohas lived there always just says 'across the Seine, ' and everybody knowsat once where they mean. You'll know all right after you've lived therea little while. "

"Marian, you're a wonder, " declared Patty. "I don't think I ever knewanybody with such a perfect and complete understanding of her own wantsas you seem to have. I hope you haven't mentioned half the things I'm tobring you, but don't tell me the rest now. I might change my mind aboutgoing. But you buy a large blank book and write out all these orders atfull length, giving directions just when to cross the Seine and when tocross back again, and I'll promise to do my very best with the wholelist. "

"Patty, you're a darling, " said Marian, "and I'm almost reconciled tohaving you go when I think of having souvenirs brought to me that Ireally want. "

"Marian, " said Patty, struck with a sudden thought, "your idea of thedifference between desirable and undesirable souvenirs is an interestingone. Now I shall bring little gifts to all my friends and relatives, Iexpect, and if you happen to know of anything that would be especiallyliked by Uncle Charlie or Aunt Alice or any of your family, or the TeaClub girls, I wish you'd make another list and put those things all downfor me. It would be the greatest kind of a help. "

Marian promised to do this, and Patty felt sure that she would be gladof the lists later on. 

Aunt Isabel and Ethelyn also came to say good-bye to Patty, but theirdemeanour was very different from Marian's. 

Aunt Isabel was much impressed by the fact that Patty was going totravel with the rich Farringtons, but she expressed a doubt as towhether it would do Patty much good in a social way after all. For sheknew something of Mrs. Farrington's habits and tastes, and they in noway corresponded to her own. 

Ethelyn informed Patty that she need not bring her any souvenir unlessshe could bring something really nice. "I do hate the little traps andtrinkets most people bring, " she said; "but if you want to bring me abracelet or locket or something really worth while, I'd be glad to haveit. "

"Well, " exclaimed Patty, "I certainly have most outspoken cousins! Theydon't seem to hesitate to tell me what to bring and what not to bringthem. But I'm sure of one thing! Bumble Barlow won't be so fussyparticular; she'll take whatever I bring and be thankful. "

"So will I, " said Nan, laughing; "anything no one else wants, Patty, youmay give it to me. "

"Don't spend all your money buying presents, child, " said Aunt Isabel;"you'd better buy pretty clothes for yourself. I will give you a list ofthe best places to shop. "

"Thank you, Aunt Isabel, I'll take the list with pleasure; but of coursemy purchases will be at the advice of Mrs. Farrington. She dresses Elisequite simply, and will probably expect me to do the same. "

Aunt Isabel sniffed. "You ought to have gone to Paris with me, " shesaid. "You're growing up to be a good-looking girl, Patty, and the rightkind of clothes would set you off wonderfully. "

Patty said nothing, but as she glanced at Ethelyn's furbelows she feltthankful she was not going to Paris with Aunt Isabel. 

But Patty found that there was quite a great deal of shopping to be donebefore she sailed. 

Nan took these matters in charge and declared that Patty needed acomplete though not an elaborate steamer outfit. 

Nan dearly loved buying pretty clothes and was quite in her elementmaking Patty's purchases. A dark blue tailor-made cloth, trimmed withtouches of green velvet, was chosen for her travelling costume. 

Her "going-away dress" Marian persisted in calling it, just as if Pattywere a bride; but as Marian burst into tears every time she mentionedPatty's going away, her words were so indistinct that it mattered littlewhat terms she used. 

Then Nan selected one or two pretty light gowns of a somewhat dressynature for dinner on board the steamer, and one or two simple eveninggowns for the ship's concert or other festive occasions. A white sergesuit was added for pleasant afternoons on deck, and some dainty kimonosand negligees for stateroom use. 

Patty was delighted with all these things, but could scarcely take timeto appreciate them, as she found so many other things to do by way ofher own preparations. So many people came to see her and she had to goto see so many other people. Then she had to have her photographs takento leave with her friends, and she was constantly being invited tolittle farewell luncheons or teas. 

"Indeed, " as Patty expressed it, "the whole two weeks of preparationseems like one long, lingering farewell; and when I'm not saying good-bye to any one else, I'm trying to stop Marian's freshly flowing tears. "

The girls bought Patty parting gifts, and though they were all eitheruseful or pretty, Patty appreciated far more the loving spirit whichprompted them. 

"I made this all myself, " said Hilda, as she brought Patty a daintysleeping gown of blue and white French flannel, "because it's utterlyimpossible to buy this sort of thing ready-made and have it just right. If you don't say this is just right I'll never make you another as longas I live. "

"It's exactly right, Hilda, " said Patty, taking the pretty garment. "Iknow I shall dream of you whenever I wear it, and that's too bad, too, for I ought to devote some of my dreams to other people. "

"This is a cabin bag, " said Lorraine, bringing her offering. "I didn'tmake it myself, because this is so much neater and prettier than ahomemade one. You see it has a pocket for everything that you canpossibly require, from hairpins to shoehorn. Not that you'll putanything in the pockets--nobody ever does--but it will look prettydecorating your cabin wall. "

"Indeed I shall put things in it, " said Patty. "I'm a great believer inputting things in their right places, and I shall think of you, Lorraine, whenever I'm trying to get the things out of these dinkylittle pockets, and probably not succeeding very well. "

"This is my gift, " said Adelaide Hart; "it isn't very elaborate, but Imade it all myself, and that means a good deal from me. "

Patty opened the parcel and found a piece of cretonne about a yardsquare, neatly hemmed along each of the four sides, and having a tapeloop sewed on each corner. 

"It's perfectly beautiful, " said Patty, "and I never saw more exquisiteneedlework; but would you mind telling me what it is for? It can't be ahandkerchief, but I don't know of anything else that's exactly square. "

"How ignorant you are, " said Adelaide with pretended superiority. "That, my inexperienced friend, is a wrap for your best hat. "

"Oh, " said Patty, not much enlightened. 

"You see, " Adelaide kindly went on to explain, "as soon as you get onboard your steamer you take off your best hat and put it exactly in themiddle of this square, having first spread the square out smoothly onthe bed or somewhere. Then you take up these four corners by the loopsand hang the whole thing on the highest hook in your stateroom. Thus, you see, your best hat is carried safely across; it is not jammed orcrushed, and it is protected from dust. "

"I see, " said Patty gravely; "and I suppose the dust is something awfulon an ocean steamer. "

The laugh seemed to be on Adelaide at this, but she joined in it andprophesied that when Patty returned she would confess that that gift hadproved the most useful of all. 

Clementine Morse brought a large post-card album which she had filledwith views of New York City. 

"I know you will be homesick before you're out of sight of land, " shesaid; "but if you're not you ought to be, and I hope these pictures willmake you so. When you look at this highly colored representation ofGrant's tomb and realise that it is but a few miles from your own long-lost hearthstone, I'm sure you will feel qualms of patriotism--orsomething. "

"I think very likely, " said Patty, laughing. "But, Clementine, how manytrunks do you suppose I shall need to hold my farewell gifts? This albumwill take up considerable space. "

"I know it, " said Clementine, "but you needn't put it in your trunk. Youcan carry it on board in your hand, and then when you go ashore you cancarry it in your hand. I don't believe they will charge you duty on it, especially as it will probably be nearly worn out by that time. "

"I'm sure it will, " said Patty, "not only from my own constant use ofit, but I know everybody on board will want to borrow it and enjoy theseworks of art. "

"Yes, " agreed Clementine; "and then, Patty, when you're in Paris you canthrow away all these New York cards and fill it up with Paris views andbring it home and give it back to me. "

"I certainly will, Clem; that's a first-rate idea. "

Mary Sargent brought a French phrase book. It was entitled "FrenchBefore Breakfast, " and as Mary explained that the French people neverhad breakfast until noon, Patty would have ample time to study it. 

Patty accepted the little book with many thanks and promised Mary shewould never eat breakfast, at noon or any other hour, until she hadthoroughly mastered at least one of the phrases. 

CHAPTER IV

AN AQUATIC PARTY

Of course all were agreed that Patty must have a farewell party of somesort; and as Nan dearly loved elaborate affairs, she had decided that itshould be an Aquatic Party. 

Patty frankly confessed her ignorance as to what an Aquatic Party mightbe, whereupon Nan informed her that she had only to wait until theoccasion itself to find out. 

So busy was Patty herself that she took no hand in the preparations forthe party, and indeed Nan required no help. That capable and energeticyoung matron secured the services of some professional decorators andable-bodied workmen, but the direction and superintendence was entirelyin her own hands. 

Patty was consulted only in regard to her own costume for the occasion. 

"You see, " said Nan, coming into Patty's room one morning, "I don't knowwhether you would rather say good-bye to your friends in the guise of akelpie or a pixy or a jelly-fish. "

"Cut out the jelly-fish, " said Patty, laughing, "for they're horrid, floppy old things, I'm sure. As to the others, what's the differencebetween a kelpie and a pixy?"

"Oh, a great deal of difference, " declared Nan, wagging her head wisely;"a kelpie is an imaginary water sprite, you know, and a pixy is a--a--why, a sort of make-believe fairy who lives in the water. "

"Well, I'm glad that you see a difference in your two definitions. Formy part I don't see anything to hinder my being a kelpie and a pixyboth, even if I'm not twins. "

"Well, they're not so very different, you know. One is a kelpie, and oneis a pixy; that's about all the difference. "

Patty laughed. "Well, if it will help you out any to have me make achoice, " she said, "I'll choose to be a kelpie. What's the latest thingin kelpie costumes?"

"Oh, it will be lovely, Patty! I'll have it made of pale green silk, with a frosted, silvery, shimmering effect, you know, and draped withtrailing green seaweed and water grasses. "

"Lovely!" agreed Patty. "And what would the pixy costume have been, if Ihad chosen that?"

"Just the same, " confessed Nan, laughing; "but it's easier to havesomething definite to work at. You can wear my corals, Patty, and, withyour hair down, you'll be a perfect kelpie. "

Patty smiled at her young stepmother's enthusiasm, and Nan ran away tobegin preparations for the kelpie costume. 

The night of the party the whole Fairfield house was so transformed thatit must scarcely have recognised itself. 

The large front drawing-room represented the arctic regions in thevicinity of the North Pole. Frames had been erected which, when coveredwith sheets, simulated peaks of snowy mountains and snow-coveredicebergs. Here and there signs, apparently left by explorers, told thelatitude and longitude, and a flag marked the explorations FarthestNorth. Over these snow peaks scrambled white polar bears in mostrealistic fashion, and in one corner an Esquimau hut was built. 

The ceiling represented a clear blue sky, and the floor the blue waterof the open polar sea. 

By a clever arrangement of electric lights through colored shades a fairrepresentation of the Aurora Borealis was made to appear at intervals. 

The library, which was back of the drawing-room, had been transformedinto an aquarium. All round the walls, waves of blue-green gauzesimulated water, in which papier-mache fish were gliding and swimming. The illusion was heightened by other fishes, which, being suspended fromthe ceiling by invisible threads, seemed to be swimming through the air. 

Altogether the effect, if not entirely realistic, was picturesque andamusing, and coral reefs and rocky cliffs covered with seaweed gaveaquatic impressions, even if not entirely logical. 

But Nan's pride was what she chose to call the Upper Deck. This was aroom on the second floor, a large front room, which had been made torepresent the upper deck of a handsome yacht. Sail-cloth draped and heldup by poles formed the roof and sides, and a realistic railingsurrounded it. A dozen or more steamer chairs stood in line, strewn withrugs, pillows and paper-backed novels. Coils of rope, lanterns, life-preservers, and other paraphernalia added to the realism of the scene, and at one side a carefully constructed window opened into the steward'scabin. The steward himself, white-duck-suited and white-capped, wasprepared to serve light refreshments exactly after the fashion of acorrect yachting party. 

When the guests began to arrive and were dressed in various costumes, each representing some type or phase of water pleasures, the scene tookon a gay and festive air. 

Patty's kelpie costume was a great success, and the girl never lookedprettier than as she stood receiving her guests in the pretty green silkgown, trailing with seaweed and shimmering with silver dust. Her curlygolden hair was wreathed with soft green water-grasses, and her rosycheeks and dancing eyes made her look like a mischievous water sprite. 

Nan's own costume was that of a fish-wife, and though very differentfrom Patty's, it had all the picturesqueness of the quaint costume ofthe Breton fisher-folk. A basket slung over her shoulder held realistic-looking fishes, and Nan looked quite as if she might have stepped out ofthe frame of a picture in the French Academy. 

Mr. Fairfield, not without some difficulty, had been induced torepresent Neptune. False flowing white hair and beard, a shining crownand trident, and a voluminous sea-green robe made him a gorgeous sight. 

The three stood near the North Pole to receive their guests, andformality was almost lost sight of in the hilarity caused by theprocession of picturesque costumes. 

There were pirates of fierce and bloodthirsty mien; there were jollyJack Tars and natty ship officers; there were water babies, mermaids, fishermen, and many dainty yachting costumes. Then there were queer andgrotesque figures, such as a frog, a lobster, and a huge crab. 

Altogether the motley procession presented a most interestingappearance, and Patty was glad when the guests had all arrived and shecould leave her post and mingle with the crowd. 

It was not long before a group of Patty's most intimate friends hadgathered on the Upper Deck to chat. Patty herself had been snugly tuckedinto a deck chair by Kenneth, who insisted on showing her just how theproceeding should be accomplished. 

"Nothing shows your ignorance, my child, on board ship, " he was saying, "like not knowing how to manage your steamer rug and pillow. "

"But, " said Patty, "I shall then have on a suitable gown that will standrough usage; but I beg of you, Ken, stop tucking that rug around mydelicate kelpie decorations. 

"Oh, " said Kenneth, "you're a kelpie, then! Strange I didn't recogniseyou at once, but I so rarely meet kelpies in the best society. Now I'mCaptain Kidd. "

"Are you?" cried Elise gaily; "now I had an idea you were AdmiralFarragut; but then one so rarely meets Captain Kidd in the bestsociety. "

"That's so, " said Kenneth; "and think how long it will be, girls, beforeyou have the pleasure of meeting this particular Captain Kidd in anysociety. I tell you, I envy you. You're going to have the time of yourlife in Paris, and I wish to goodness I could go along with you. "

"Oh, do, Kenneth, " cried Patty; "we'd have just the best time ever!Can't you give up college and put in a lot of study over there?"

"No, indeed, I can't; I'm only just wishing I could. There's no harm inwishing, you know. But if you'll stay until next summer, perhaps I'llcome over and see you during vacation, and then we can all come hometogether. "

"That would be fine, " said Elise, "and we're just as likely to stayuntil summer as not. But then, on the other hand, we're just as likelyto come home as soon as we get there. You never can tell what thoseabsurd parents of mine are going to do. "

Meantime a strange-looking figure was walking across the Upper Decktoward the group that surrounded Patty. It was impossible not torecognise the character, which was meant to be a representation of Noah. But it was the well-known Noah of the children's Noah's ark, and thestraight-up-and-down, tightly fitting brown garment, with yellow buttonsdown the front, was exactly like the patriarch as shown in the woodentoys. A flat, broad-brimmed hat sat squarely on his head, and as he heldhis arms straight down at his side, and as his cheeks bore little rounddaubs of red paint, Mr. Hepworth was exactly like a gigantic specimen ofthe nursery Noah. 

He came across the deck with a staggering, uncertain motion, as if theship were rolling and pitching about. His realistic acting made them alllaugh, and when he dropped into a deck chair and, calling the steward, asked faintly for a cup of weak tea, Patty declared she believed shewouldn't go to Paris after all. 

"For I'm sure, " she said, "that I don't want to go wabbling across adeck and looking as ill and woebegone as you do. "

Mr. Hepworth smiled at her. "You'll have so many remedies andpreventives given you, " he said, "and you'll be so busy pitching themoverboard that you won't have time to be seasick. Really I don't believeyou'll think of such a thing all the way over, let alone experiencingit. "

"You're a great comfort, " said Patty heartily; "you always tell me themost comforting things. Now everybody else declares that after I've beenat sea for a day I'll be so ill that I won't care whether I live ordie. "

"Nonsense, " declared Mr. Hepworth; "don't pay any attention to suchcroakings. "

"I agree with you, " said Elise. "I've made up my mind that I'm not goingto be seasick, but I'm going to have a perfectly jolly time all the wayacross. "

"Of course you'll have jolly times, " said Marian, who was in one of herdoleful moods; "but think of us who are left behind! We won't have anyjolly time until you come back again. "

"Oh, I don't know!" said Kenneth. "Of course I'm devoted to these twogirls, but I'm not going to let it blight my young existence and crushmy whole career, just because I have to live without them for sixmonths. "

"But you don't love Patty as I do, " said Marian with a sigh, as shegazed at her adored cousin. 

"No, Marian, I don't, " said Kenneth; "not as YOU do, for I assume thatyou love her as a first cousin. Now my affection for Patty is more onthe order of a grandmother's brother-in-law once removed. You can't betoo careful about the exact type of attachment you feel for a younglady, and I think that expresses my regard for Patty. Now toward Elise Ifeel more like a great niece's uncle's brother-in-law. There is a verysubtle distinction between the two, but I know that both girls areacutely aware of the exact kind and degree of my regard for them. "

"I am, anyway, " said Patty; "and I must say, Ken, that it's much easierto leave you, with that definite affection of yours, than it is to goaway from Marian and leave her floundering in her deep and somewhat dampwoe. "

Marian vouchsafed a sad sort of smile, and said it was all very well forthem to make fun of her, but she couldn't help missing Patty. 

"Nobody can help missing Patty, " declared Mr. Hepworth; "and for mypart, if I find that I miss her very much I shall go straight over toParis and bring her back. "

"I hope you will, " cried Patty; "that is, I hope you'll come over, andperhaps we can persuade you not to be in such a dreadful hurry to comeback. "

"I had expected to run over in the early spring, anyway, " said Mr. Hepworth carelessly, as if it were a matter of no moment; "I want to docertain French sketches that I've had my mind on for some time. "

"Well, if you do come, " said Elise cordially, "come right to our houseand I know we can put you up. The Farringtons are erratic, but alwayshospitable; and I hereby invite this whole crowd to visit us in Paris, either jointly or severally, whenever the spirit moves you. "

"If I find a spirit that can move me over to Paris, I shall come often, "declared Kenneth; "but I'm afraid I'm too substantially built to bewafted across the ocean in the clutches of any spirit. "

Just then the notes of a bugle sounded clear and sweet from below. 

"That's the ship's bugler, " declared Mr. Hepworth, "and that's the buglecall for supper. Shall we go down and refresh ourselves?"

"Yes, indeed, " cried Patty, jumping from her nest of steamer rugs; "I'mas hungry as a hawk. "

But it somehow happened that all of the gay young crowd left the UpperDeck to go to the supper room before Patty and Mr. Hepworth started. Hedetained her for a moment while he said: "Little girl, will you miss mewhile you're away?"

"Even if I expected to I wouldn't own up to it, " said Patty, as she gavehim a mischievous glance. 

"Why wouldn't you own up to it?" Mr. Hepworth spoke quite seriously andlooked intently at the pretty face before him, with its golden haircrowned by the shining green sea-wreath. 

"I don't know, " said Patty slowly. She felt herself forced by hisimpelling gaze to raise her eyes to his, and for the first time itoccurred to her that Mr. Hepworth felt more interest in her than she hadever suspected. "I don't know why I wouldn't own up to it, I'm sure, "she went on; "in fact, now that I come to think of it, I believe Ishould own up to it. "

"Well, own it then. Tell me you will miss me, and will sometimes wish Imight be with you. "

"Oh, " cried Patty, laughing merrily, "I only meant I would own it if itwere true. Of course I sha'n't really miss you; there'll be so much toamuse and interest me that I sha'n't have time to miss anybody exceptpapa and Nan. "

"That's just what I thought, " said Mr. Hepworth. 

CHAPTER V

GOOD-BYES

At last the day of sailing came. The steamer was to leave her dock atthree o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and soon after two Patty went onboard, accompanied by Nan and her father. 

A crowd of friends had also gathered to bid Patty goodspeed, and besidesthese the Farringtons had many friends there to say good-bye to them. 

With the exception of Marian, it was not a sad parting. Indeed it seemedrather a hilarious occasion than otherwise. This was partly because mostof the persons concerned felt truly sorry to miss Patty's brightpresence out of their lives, and feared that if they showed any regretthe situation might become too much for them. 

Hilda and Lorraine felt this especially, and they were so absurdly gaythat it was quite clear to Patty that their gaiety was assumed. But shewas grateful to them for it, for, as she had previously confided to Nan, she didn't want a weepy, teary crowd to bid her good-bye; she wanted togo away amid laughter and smiles. 

As the brief hour before sailing passed, more and more people came tosee them off, and Patty began to think that everybody she ever knewwould be there. 

Many of the friends brought gifts, and many had already sent fruit orflowers, both to the Farringtons and to Patty. Down in the dining-saloona whole table was occupied with the gifts to their party, and more thana fair proportion of these belonged to Patty. She was quite bewildered, for sailing away from her native land was a new experience to her, andit had never occurred to her that it would include this elaborateprofusion of farewell gifts. 

There was a great basket of red roses from Winthrop Warner, and Berthahad sent a box of candy. Roger had sent candy, too, and Kenneth had senta beautiful basket of fruit that seemed to include every known variety. Nor were the gifts only from Patty's intimate friends. She was surprisedto learn how many of her acquaintances and relatives and casual friendshad sent a token of good wishes for her voyage. The truth is that Pattywas a general favourite and made friends with all whom she met. 

Mr. Hepworth had once told her that she was a Dispenser of Happiness. Ifso, she was now reaping the reward, for her friends had surely showeredhappiness upon her. 

And besides the table full of gifts there were many letters andtelegrams in the ship's little post-office. These delighted Patty, too, and she laid the budget aside to enjoy after the trip had fairly begun. 

Among the last to arrive was Mr. Hepworth. He brought no fruit orflowers, but he was followed by a messenger boy fairly staggering underthe weight of his burden. 

"I knew, Patty, " he said, "that you'd have all the flowers and fruit andsweets you could possibly want, so I've brought you a different kind ofgift. "

"There seems to be plenty of it, " said Patty as she looked at the smallboy. His arms were full of papers and magazines, which, as theyafterward discovered, included every newspaper, magazine, and weeklyperiodical published in New York. 

"You know, " said Mr. Hepworth, "you can't get current reading matterafter you start, and a good deal of this stuff you won't find in Paris, either; though you can get American publications there more easily thanyou can in London. But read what you want, Patty, and pitch the restoverboard. "

The boy was directed to carry his load to Patty's stateroom and depositit there. Patty thanked Mr. Hepworth for his thoughtful gift, and saidshe would read every word of it and probably carry a great deal of itashore with her. 

"Come on, Patty, " said Kenneth, "we're going to see where your deckchairs are, so we can have a mental picture of just how you're going tolook for the next week or so. "

About a dozen merry young people trooped up the next deck and found thechairs that had been reserved for the Farrington party. But when Pattysaw them she burst out laughing. The two that were intended for herselfand Elise had been decorated in an absurd fashion. They were tied withribbon bows and bunches and garlands of flowers. They were filled withfancy pillows, and tied on in several places were letters and smallpackages done up in paper. 

"They look like ridiculous Christmas trees, " cried Patty. "I'm crazy toopen those bundles, for I know they're full of foolishness that yougirls have rigged up for us. "

"Don't open them now, " said Hilda, "for we have to leave you and goashore in a few moments. Now, Patty, you will write to us, won't you?"

"I rather think I will, " cried Patty; "you've all been so good to me Inever could thank you enough if I wrote every day and all day. "

"Come with me, Patty, " said Kenneth; "I want to show you something up atthis end of the ship. "

So Patty went off with Kenneth, and when they were well away from thelaughing crowd he drew a small box from his pocket and gave it to her, saying: "Patty, you mustn't think I'm a sentimental fool, for I'm not;but I wish you'd wear that while you're away, and sometimes think ofme. "

Patty flashed a comical glance at him. 

"Good gracious, Ken, " she exclaimed, "it's an awful funny thing, thisgoing away; it makes all your friends so serious and so afraid you'llforget them. Of course I shall think of you while I'm away. "

"Who else has been asking you to think of him?" growled Kenneth; "thatridiculous Hepworth, I suppose! Well, now look here, miss, you're tothink of me twice to his once. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, I understand, " said Patty demurely; "and now may I look in the boxbefore I promise to wear your gift? It might be a live beetle. I saw alady once who wore a live beetle attached to a tiny gold chain. Oh, itwas awful!"

"It isn't a live beetle, " said Kenneth, smiling, "but it is attached toa tiny gold chain. Yes, of course you may look at it, and if you don'tlike it you needn't wear it. "

So Patty opened the box and discovered a little gold locket, set withtiny pearls and hanging from a slender gold chain. It was very gracefuland dainty, and Patty's first impulse was one of delight. But as shelooked up and met Kenneth's serious gaze she suddenly wondered if shewere promising too much to say she would wear it. 

"What's inside of it?" she inquired, as if to gain time. 

"Look and see. "

Patty opened the locket and found it contained a most attractive pictureof Kenneth's handsome, boyish face. 

"What a splendid likeness!" she exclaimed; "you're awfully good-looking, Ken, and I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll wear the locket with pleasure--sometimes, you know, not all the time, of course--until I find somebodywho is handsomer than you, or--whom I like better. "

"Pooh, " cried Kenneth, "I don't care how often you replace it with apicture of a handsomer man, but, Patty, I don't want you to find any oneyou like better. Promise me you won't. "

"Oh, I can't promise that, Ken. Just think of the fascinating FrenchmenI shall probably meet, with their waxed moustaches and their dandifiedmanners. How can I help liking them better than a plain, unvarnishedAmerican boy?"

"All right, my lady; if you set your affections on a French popinjay, I'll come over there and fight a duel with him. I know you're toosensible to look at those addle-pated dandies, but I wish you'd promisenot to like anybody better than THIS plain, unvarnished American boy. "

"I won't promise you anything, Ken, " said Patty, not unkindly, but witha gentle, definite air. "I thank you for your locket. It is beautiful, and I do love pretty things. I'll wear it sometimes; let me see, to-dayis Saturday; well, I'll wear it every Saturday; that will insure yourbeing thought of at least once a week. "

And with this Kenneth had to be content, for a roguish laugh appeared inPatty's eyes and he knew she would not treat matters seriously anyfurther. 

Dropping the locket in her little handbag, Patty turned to go back tothe others. 

"But you're not keeping your promise, " said Kenneth, detaining her. 

"What promise?"

"You said you'd wear the locket on Saturdays, and to-day is Saturday. "

Patty was a little embarrassed. She knew if she went back to the groupwith the trinket hanging round her neck, every one would know at oncethat Kenneth had given it to her, and they would surmise far more thanthe simple, truth. And she was especially conscious that Mr. Hepworthwould notice it, and would think it meant all Kenneth had wanted it tomean, which was far more than she had accepted it as meaning. 

Kenneth saw her hesitation and stood watching her. 

"Wear it, dear, " he said quietly; "an old friend like myself has aperfect right to give you a little keepsake. " Then Patty had aninspiration. She clasped the little chain about her neck and then tuckedthe locket down inside her collar so that it was entirely out of sight. 

"You little witch!" cried Kenneth as she raised her laughing eyes tohis; "but at any rate you're wearing it, and that's all I asked of you. "

"Yes, " said Patty; and, as gaily and unaffectedly as a child, shegrasped Kenneth's hand and ran down the long deck to join the others. 

Although determined to ignore the episode, Patty's cheeks bore aheightened colour and she let poor Kenneth severely alone, devoting herattention to the others. 

But it was nearly time: for the last farewell to be said, and indeedsome of the party had said good-bye and left the steamer. 

And then again Patty was carried off for a little confidential talk atthe other end of the deck, and this time it was by her father. 

He seemed to have many final bits of advice to give her regarding theminutiae of her journey, her money matters, her relation toward theFarringtons, and her correct demeanour in many ways. 

"I'm not at all afraid to trust you out of my sight, Patty, girl, " hesaid, "for I have absolute faith in your common sense and your goodjudgment. I know you won't do anything wrong or unladylike, but I wantto warn you, my little girl, not to get mixed up in any romanticadventures. You're altogether too young for that sort of thing, and Iwarn you I sha'n't allow you to be engaged to anybody for years andyears to come. " Patty laughed merrily at this. "Indeed, papa, " she said, "nothing is further from my mind than any such performance as yousuggest, and I haven't the slightest desire to think of being engageduntil I'm at least as old as Nan. And anyway, I don't believe anybodywould like me well enough to want to be engaged to me. Oh--that is--unless it might be Kenneth. "

And then Patty told her father the whole story of Kenneth and thelocket. 

"You did just right, Patty, " said her father. "Kenneth is a nice boy, but he is altogether too young, and you are, too, to attach anysentimental significance to his gift. Wear the locket if you want to, orwhen you want to, but let it be understood that it means nothing morethan the merest friendly keepsake. "

"Yes, that's just what I think, " said Patty, with an air of satisfactionat this prosaic settlement of the subject. "Oh, papa, you're the onlyone I'm going to miss very much, you and Nan; but especially you. "

"I know it, my girl; we have been a great deal to each other all theseyears, and of course we shall miss each other. But the time will soonpass away, and since we have to part we must be brave about it, and wemust not spoil the happiness of it by the sorrow of it. "

"Dear papa, " said Patty, squeezing his hand, "you are always so wise andgood. That's just the point; we must not spoil the happiness by thesorrow, though that is what Marian is always trying to do. Poor Marian, she's such a pathetic creature; I wish she would cheer up. "

"I think she will, Patty. Nan and I are going to take her home with usand keep her for a fortnight or more, and we'll make her so gay thatshe'll forget you're gone. "

"Good for you, papa; that's lovely! You do think of the nicest thingsfor people!"

"Well, now, chickabiddy, I suppose I'll have to leave you. Keep up agood heart and a spirit of cheerfulness. Stick to your sense ofproportion and your sense of humor. Remember that the time will soonpass, and pass happily, too; and then you'll come sailing back to thisvery dock, and I'll be here waiting for you. "

They rejoined the group and then the farewells began in earnest. Pattywas embraced and kissed by all the girls, until Nan declared there wouldbe nothing left for her to say good-bye to. The men shook hands andexpressed hearty good wishes, and with one last kiss from her fatherPatty was left alone with the Farringtons. 

As the steamer sailed away there was much waving of handkerchiefs andflags, and the friends on shore were kept in sight just as long aspossible. 

But when they could no longer be distinguished, Patty said: "Come on, Elise; let's do something to occupy our minds, or I feel sure I shallcry like a baby in spite of my noble and brave resolutions. "

"All right, " said Elise, "I'm with you. Let's go down and put things torights in our stateroom. "

So down they went on their errand. The girls were to share the samestateroom, and as it was large and conveniently arranged, they were gladto be together. But as they entered the door they nearly fell over inastonishment, for sitting on the sofa, with his paws extended inwelcome, was a very large, very white, and very fleecy "Teddy Bear. " Inone paw he held a card on which was written:

 Oh Patty dear, Oh Elise dear, We don't want you to go away; But if you will, Keep with you still This merry little stowaway. 

CHAPTER VI

THE OLD MA'AMSELLE

The girls laughed heartily over the Teddy Bear, and agreed that it was adelightful companion for their trip. Elise set him up on the littleshelf above the washstand, and he gazed down upon them like a fat andgood-natured patron saint. Patty named him Yankee Doodle, and gave himan American flag to hold; but Elise, not wishing to seem to slight theFrench nation, gave him a silken tri-colour of France to hold in hisother paw. Apparently unprejudiced in his sympathies, Yankee Doodle heldboth flags, and continued to wear his jolly and complacent grin. 

It was great fun for the girls to arrange their stateroom. As theyexpected to occupy it for the next ten days, they proceeded to make itas homelike as possible. They both had so many cabin bags and wallpockets and basket catchalls which had been parting gifts that it wasdifficult to find wall space for them all. Patty was to occupy the lowerberth and Elise the wide and comfortable sofa. For they concluded theycould chatter better if on a level. This left the upper berth as a broadshelf for books and magazines, boxes of candy, and all the odds and endsof their belongings. 

"Isn't it perfectly wonderful, " said Patty, "to think we are alreadymiles away from land, and dancing away over this blue water!"

As Patty was standing on the sofa, with her head stuck out through theporthole, Elise could not hear a word of this speech; so unless thefishes were interested it was entirely lost. But this mattered little toPatty, and soon she pulled her head in and made the same remark overagain. 

"Well, " said Elise, who was matter-of-fact, "when people take passage onan ocean steamer they often expect to get a few miles away from landafter they start. "

"Oh, Elise, " cried Patty, "have you no imagination? Of course it isn'twonderful to consider the FACT of our sailing out to sea, but the IDEAof dancing away over the blue water is poetic and therefore wonderful. "

"I'm glad you explained it to me, and I dare say the more the shipdances, the more wonderful it will be. And so let's get these thingsstraightened out before the dancing grows mad and hilarious. "

"All right, " said Patty good-naturedly; and she went to work with awill, stowing away things and tacking up things, until everything wassnugly in place. 

Mrs. Farrington's maid accompanied the party, but both Elise and Patty, being energetic young Americans, had small use for her services. She wasa help, though, in the matter of back buttons and hair ribbons, and shecame now rapping at the stateroom door with a message from Mrs. Farrington that the girls were to dress for dinner. At the same momentthe pretty bugle-call rang out that marked the half hour before dinner-time. 

"Isn't it fun, " cried Patty, "to have the dressing-bell a trumpet?Except at my own party the other night I've never been bugled to mymeals. What shall we wear, Elise?"

"Not our prettiest dresses. We must save those for the concert, orwhatever gaieties they may have. Put on that blue checked silk of yours, Patty; it's the sweetest thing, and just right for dinner, and I'll wearmy light green one. "

With slight assistance from Lisette, the French maid, they were soonready. Patty envied Lisette her fluency in the French tongue, for thoughall the officers on board and most of the passengers spoke English, Patty wished she could talk French more readily than she did. She foundit good practice to talk to Lisette in her own language, as the mistakesshe made did not embarrass her. Lisette, of course, was a great admirerof pretty Patty, and was only too glad to be of assistance to herlinguistically or any other way. 

Another bugle-call announced dinner, and, joining Mr. And Mrs. Farrington, the girls went down to the dining saloon. Their seats wereat the captain's table, and Patty thought she had never seen such aprofusion of beautiful flowers as graced the board. The stewards hadplaced the flowers of all the passengers upon the tables, and, with thelights and ornate decorations of the Louis XVI. Saloon, it was likefairyland. The walls and ceiling were elaborately decorated in daintyFrench fashion, and the table service was exceedingly attractive. Pattywas much amused at the revolving chair which she had to learn how to getinto, but after being twirled to her place she concluded it was a wiseprovision for a dining-room of such uncertain level. 

Mrs. Farrington sat at the captain's right hand, and next to her was herhusband, then Elise, and then Patty. Patty at once began to wonder whowould occupy the chair next beyond herself, and was exceedinglyinterested when the steward turned it around to accommodate a lady whowas approaching. 

The newcomer was without doubt a Frenchwoman, somewhat elderly, but veryvigorous and active. She had masses of snow-white hair, and large, alert, black eyes that seemed to dart quickly from one point of interestto another. She was a little lady, but her gait and manner were markedby an air not only of aristocracy, but as of one accustomed to exertabsolute authority. Nor was she apparently of a mild and amiabledisposition. She spoke sharply to the steward, although he was doing hisbest to serve her. 

"And is it that you shall be all night in arranging my chair?" sheexclaimed. Then, as she was finally seated, she continued her grumbling. "And is it not enough that I must be delayed, but still I have receivedno MENU? One shall see if this is to be permitted!"

The steward did not seem unduly alarmed at the little old lady's angryspeech, but hastened to bring her the daintily printed bill of fare. 

Raising her jewelled lorgnon, the French lady scanned the MENU, andhaving made a choice of soup, she laid the card down, and turning towardPatty surveyed her leisurely through her glasses. 

Her manner as she scrutinised Patty was by no means rude or impertinent. It had rather the effect of an honest curiosity and a polite interest. 

"There is no denying, my dear, " she said at last, "that you are of abeauty. And of a sweetness. An American of Americans. New York--is itnot so?"

There was an indefinable charm about the old lady's manner that wonPatty's heart at once, and though in any case she would have beenpolite, she answered with cordiality:

"Yes, madame, I live in New York, although I was born in the South andlived there for many years. "

"Ah, then, it is explained. It is your Southern States that make thecharm, the aplomb, without the--what you call--the--the freshness. Is itnot so? But I do not mean the freshness of the cheek; and yet, in theargot do you not say freshness is cheek? Ah, I am bewildered; I am mixupwith your strange words; but I will learn them! They shall not conquerme! And you will help me; is it not so?"

"I will help you with pleasure, madame, " replied Patty, dimpling withfun as she heard the old lady's unsuccessful attempts in American slang. "My name is Patty Fairfield; and though I seldom use the slang of mycountry, I'm more or less familiar with its terms, and can enlighten youconcerning them, at least to a degree. To me your language is difficult;but perhaps we may by conversation help each other. "

"Patty Fairfield; a pleasant name for a pleasant child. But I'm notmadame; pray call me ma'amselle. I am Ma'amselle Labesse. "

"You are a Frenchwoman, of course?" inquired Patty. 

"A Frenchwoman, yes; but of an admiration for your strange Americancountry. I go home now, but I shall return again. Your country is of aninterest. "

As Patty looked around at the others at their table, she felt that shehad been fortunate in sitting next to the old ma'amselle. For though shecould not judge entirely by appearances, no one else at the table seemedto be so quaintly interesting as the old French lady. 

Patty soon discovered that even a "few miles of dancing upon the bluewater" had decidedly sharpened her appetite, and she did full justice tothe delicate viands and delicious French cookery placed before her. Sheand Elise chatted happily, and after introducing her companions oneither side to each other the conversation became general. 

Under the influence of the comradeship always felt on a French liner, the people across the table became sociably inclined, and acquaintanceswere made rapidly. 

After dinner our party went out on deck, and though warm wraps werenecessary, the crisp, clear air was delightful, and the starry sky andtumbling black water fascinated Patty beyond all words. She leanedagainst the rail, watching the waves as they dashed and plashed below, breaking into white foam as the steamer ploughed through them. Patty wasvery susceptible to new impressions, and the great expanse of blackwater beneath the dome of the star-studded black sky filled her with anawe and reverence which she had never known before. 

Elise stood quietly beside her, with her hand through Patty's arm, andtogether the girls silently enjoyed the sombre beauty of the scene. 

"Are you afraid, Patty?" asked Elise. 

Patty laughed a little, and then she said: "I don't know as I can makeyou understand it, Elise, for it sounds so ridiculous when it's put intowords. But it's this way with me: In my imagination, when I think ofthis little cockleshell of a boat tossing on this great, deep, blackocean, which may engulf it at any moment, I have a certain feeling offear, which seems to belong to the situation. But really, my commonsense tells me that these staunch steamships are constructed for thevery purpose of carrying people safely across the sea, and that there isalmost no danger at all of their doing otherwise. So you see it onlydepends on whether I'm in a mood of poetical imagination or practicalcommon sense as to whether I'm afraid or not. "

"Patty, " said Elise, with a little sigh, "you are certainly clever. NowI never could have reasoned the thing out like that, and yet I see justwhat you mean. "

"Throw bouquets at yourself, then, Elise, " said Patty, laughing, "foryou're a great deal more clever to see what I mean than I am to say it!"

After a brisk walk up and down the deck for a time the girls tuckedthemselves snugly into their deck chairs by the side of the elderFarringtons. 

"How do you like it so far, Patty?" asked Mr. Farrington. 

"It's simply perfect, " declared Patty enthusiastically. "It's awfullydifferent from what I thought it would be, and ever so much nicer. Ithought it would be impossible to walk across the deck without tumblingall over and catching hold of everything. But we can walk around just asif in a house, and everything is comfortable, even luxurious, and it'sall so clean. "

Mrs. Farrington laughed at this. "Of course it's clean, child, " shesaid; "it's only on land that we are under the tyranny of dust and dirt. But as for tumbling around the deck, that may come later. Don't imaginethe sea is never rougher than it is to-night. "

"I hope it will be rougher, " said Patty. "I don't want a fearful storm, but I would like a little pitching and tossing. "

"You'll probably get it, " said Mr. Farrington. "And now, my cherishedones, let us take a look in at the library and drawing-room, and thenlet us seek our staterooms. "

So the parry adjourned to the brilliantly lighted saloon, where many ofthe passengers had congregated to spend the after-dinner hour. It was abeautiful apartment, even more gorgeous and elaborate than the dining-room, and furnished with inviting-looking easy-chairs, sofas, and divansof puffy upholstery. Gilt-framed tables were scattered about for thebenefit of the card-players, and attractively appointed writing-desksmade Patty suddenly realise that she wanted to write letters home atonce. But remembering that they could not possibly be mailed for tendays to come, she decided to defer them at least until the morrow. 

Well-filled bookcases attracted the girls' attention, andnotwithstanding the large amount of reading matter they had of theirown, they were glad to see some well-known favourites behind the glassdoors. 

Patty was surprised when Mr. Farrington proposed that they should all goto the dining-room for a bit of supper before retiring. It seemed to herbut a short time since they had dined; and yet she realised thesuggestion was not entirely unwelcome. 

"Is it imperative that we shall eat more meals on sea than on land?" sheinquired, as they took their places at the table. 

"Not imperative, perhaps, " the captain answered her, smiling, "butunless you seem to appreciate my cook's efforts to please you I shallhave to pitch him overboard; and it is not easy to find another chef inmid-ocean. "

"Then, " said Patty gaily, "I shall certainly do all I can to save thepoor man from a dreadful fate. And it does not seem to me that I shallhave any difficulty in keeping my part of the bargain. " As Patty spokeshe was nibbling away with great satisfaction at a caviare sandwich andbestowing a pleased glance on a glass of orange sherbet which thesteward had just brought to her. 

The captain was a large and important-looking personage, with the blackmoustache and imperiale of the true Frenchman. His manner was expansiveand very cordial; and as he had known the Farringtons for many years hewas quite ready to welcome Patty for their sake as well as her own. Indeed, he had taken an immediate liking to the pretty American girl, and as French captains are prone to make favourites among theirpassengers, Patty was immediately assigned in his chivalrous heart tosuch a position. 

He bade her a pleasant good-night as she left the dining-room, and wasdelighted with her naive expressions of admiration and appreciation ofhis beautiful ship. 

When the girls reached their stateroom they suddenly realised that theywere quite tired out after the excitements of the day, and were veryglad to let Lisette brush their hair and assist them in preparing forbed. As Patty nestled snugly between the coarse linen sheets she felt adrowsy enjoyment of the gentle rolling motion of the steamer, and almostimmediately fell into a sound, dreamless sleep. 

CHAPTER VII

WESTERN FRIENDS

The girls slept restfully all night, and were awakened in the morning bythe entrance of Lisette, who was followed by the pleasant-faced andvoluble French stewardess. The day was bright and sunshiny, and half adozen times while she was dressing Patty stuck her head out of theporthole to gaze at the sparkling blue water. On these occasions Elisegrasped her by the feet lest she should fall out. But as Patty'ssubstantial frame could not possibly have squeezed through the porthole, the precaution was unnecessary. 

After breakfast the girls prepared for a delightful morning on deck. Thebreeze had freshened considerably, so Patty put on a long, warm ulsterthat enveloped her from throat to feet. A long blue veil tied her trimlittle hat in place, and when fully equipped she looked over the pilesof literature to make a selection. 

"Do you know, " she said to Elise, "I don't believe I shall read much; Ithink I shall just sit and look at the water and dream. "

"All right, " said her practical friend; "but take a book with you, forif you don't you're sure to want one; while if you do, you probablywon't look at it. "

"Elise, you're a genius. I'll take the book, and also some of thiscandy. I'm glad Hilda gave me this bag; it's most convenient. "

The bag in question was a large, plain affair of dark green cloth, witha black ribbon drawstring. It proved to be Patty's constant companion, as it was roomy enough to hold gloves, veils, handkerchiefs, as well aspencil and paper, and anything else they might need through the day. Ithung conveniently on the back of Patty's deck chair, and became asfamous as the bag of the lady in "Swiss Family Robinson. "

As Patty had anticipated, she did not do any reading that morning, butneither did she gaze at the ocean and dream. She discovered that life onan ocean steamer is apt to be full of incident and abounds inoccupation. 

No sooner had she and Elise arranged themselves in their chairs thanalong came two gay and laughing girls, who stopped to talk to them. 

"We're going to introduce ourselves, " said one of them. "I am Alicia VanNess, and this is my little sister Doris. We're from Chicago, and welike the looks of you girls, and we want to be chums. Though, of course, it's up to you, and if you don't like our looks you've only to say soand we'll never trouble you again. "

"Speak out!" chimed in the other girl, who was quite as vivacious as hersister. "We're not a bit stupid, and we can take the slightest hint. Ican see you don't quite approve of us"--and she looked shrewdly atPatty, who had unconsciously assumed an air of hauteur as she watchedthe frank-mannered Western girls--"but really and truly we're awfullynice after you get acquainted with us. "

Patty was amused, and a little ashamed that a stranger should have readher feelings so accurately, for she had felt slightly repelled at thesomewhat forward manners of these would-be friends. 

As if to make up for her coolness she said heartily: "I'm sure you aredelightful to know, and I'm quite ready to be friends if you will allowit. I'm Patty Fairfield, and this is my chum, Elise Farrington. "

"We knew your names, " said Alicia Van Ness; "we asked the captain. Yousee, we thought you two were the nicest girls on board, but if you hadthrown us down we were going to tackle the English girl next. "

Though this slangy style of talk was not at all to Patty's liking, shesaw no reason to reject the offered friendship because of it. The VanNess sisters might prove to be interesting companions, in spite of theirunconventional ways. So two vacant chairs were drawn up, and the fourgirls sat in a group, and very soon were chatting away like old friends. 

"Do you know the English girl?" asked Doris; "she sits at your table. "

"No, " said Elise; "she's way down at the other end from us. But I likeher looks, only she's so very English that I expect she's rather stiffand hard to get acquainted with. "

"You can't say that about us, can you?" said Alicia, laughing; "I'm aseasy as an old shoe, and Doris as an old slipper. But we hope you'lllike us, because we do love to be liked. That English girl's name isFlorrie Nash. Isn't that queer? She doesn't look a bit like a Florrie, does she? More like a Susan or a Hannah. "

"Or more like a Catharine or Elizabeth, I think, " said Patty. "But younever can tell people's names from what they look like. "

"No, " said Alicia; "now a stranger would say you looked like my name, and I looked like yours. "

"That's true enough, " said Elise, laughing; "your jolly ways are not atall like your grand-sounding name; and as for Patty here, it's a perfectshame to spoil her beautiful name of Patricia by such a nickname. "

Two young men in long plaid ulsters with turned-up collars and plaidyachting caps came into view at the other end of the deck. They werewalking with swinging strides in the direction of the group of girls. 

"Now I'll show you, " said Alicia in a low voice, "how we Chicago girlsscrape acquaintance with young men. "

As the young men drew nearer Alicia looked at them smilingly and said"Ahem" in a low but distinct voice. The young men looked at her andsmiled, whereupon Doris purposely dropped a book she had been holding. The young men sprang to pick it up, Doris took it and thanked them, andthen made a further remark as to the beauty of the weather. The youngmen replied affably, and then Alicia asked them to join their group andsit down for a chat. 

"With pleasure, " said one of the young men, glancing at Patty and Elise, "if we may be allowed. "

Patty was surprised and shocked at the behaviour of these strange girls, and very decidedly expressed her opinion in her face. Without glancingat the young men, she turned on the Van Ness sisters a look of extremedisapproval, while Elise looked frightened at the whole proceeding. 

The two horrified countenances were too much for the Van Ness girls, andthey burst into peals of laughter. 

"Oh, my children, " cried, Alicia, "did you really think us sounconventional, even if we are from Chicago? These two boys are ourcousins, Bob and Guy Van Ness, and they are travelling with us in chargeof our parents. Stand up straight, infants, and be introduced. MissFarrington and Miss Fairfield, may I present Mr. Robert Van Ness and Mr. Guy Porter Van Ness?"

The young men made most deferential bows, and, greatly appreciating thejoke, Patty invited them to join their party, and offered them some ofher confectionery. 

"But it's a shame to sit here, " observed Guy, "when there's lots of fungoing on up on the forward deck. Don't you girls want to go up there andplay shuffleboard?"

"I do, " said Patty readily; "I've always wanted to play shuffleboard, though I've no idea whether it's played with a pack of cards or a teaset. "

Guy laughed at this and promised to teach her the game at once. 

So they all went up to the upper deck, which was uncovered, and where, in the sunlight, groups of young people were playing different games. 

Both Patty and Elise delighted in outdoor sports, and the Van Ness girlswere fond of anything athletic. During the games they all made theacquaintance of Florrie Nash, who, though of an extreme English type, proved less difficult to make friends with than they had feared. 

They also met several young men, among whom Patty liked best a youngEnglishman of big-boyish, good-natured type, named Bert Chester, and ayoung Frenchman of musical tastes. The latter was a violinist, by thename of Pierre Pauvret. He seemed a trifle melancholy, Patty thought, but exceedingly refined and well-bred. He stood by her side as sheleaned against the rail, looking at the water, and though evidentlydesirous to be entertaining, he seemed to be at a loss for something tosay. 

Patty felt sorry for the youth and tried various subjects withoutsuccess in interesting him, until at last she chanced to refer to music. At this Mr. Pauvret's face lighted up and he became enthusiastic atonce. 

"Ah, the music!" he exclaimed; "it is my life, it is my soul! And you--do you yourself sing? Ah, I think yes. "

"I sing a little, " said Patty, smiling kindly at him, "but I have nothad much training, and my voice is small. "

"Ah, " said the Frenchman, "I have a certainty that you sing like anangel. But we shall see--we shall see. There will be a concert on boardand you will sing. Is it not so?"

"I don't know, " said Patty, smiling; "I will sing with pleasure if I amasked, but it may not give my audience pleasure. "

"It will be heaven for them!" declared the volatile young Frenchman, clasping his hands in apparent ecstasy. 

His exaggerated manner amused Patty, for she dearly loved to study newtypes of people, and she began to think there was a varied assortment onboard. 

Suddenly several people rushed wildly to the side of the boat. They werefollowed by others, until it seemed as if everybody was crowding to therail. Patty followed, of course, and found herself standing by the sideof Bert Chester. 

"What is it?" she exclaimed. 

"A porpoise!" he replied, as if announcing an event of greatestimportance. 

"A porpoise!" echoed Patty, disgusted. "Such a fuss about a porpoise?Why, it's nothing but a fish!"

"My dear Miss Fairfield, " said the Englishman, looking at her throughhis single eyeglass, "tradition demands that steamer passengers shallalways make a fuss over a passing porpoise. To be sure it's only a fish, but the fuss is because of tradition, not because of the fish. "

Patty had always thought that a single eyeglass betokened a brainlessfop, but this stalwart young Englishman wore his monocle so naturally, and, moreover, so securely, that it seemed a component part of him. And, too, his speech was that of a quick-witted, humorous mind, and Pattybegan to think she must readjust her opinion. 

"Is it an English national trait, " she said, "to be so in thrall totradition?"

"I'm sorry to say it is, " young Chester responded, somewhat gravely. "Inthe matter of the porpoise it is of no great importance; but there areother matters, do you see, where Englishmen are so hampered by traditionthat individual volition is often lost. "

This was more serious talk than Patty was accustomed to, but somehow shefelt rather flattered to be addressed thus, and she tried to answer inkind. 

"But, " she said, "if the tradition is the result of the wisdom of pastages, may it not be of more value than individual volition?"

"By Jove!" exclaimed Mr. Chester, "you have a clever little head on youryoung shoulders, to take that point so adroitly. But let us defer thissomewhat serious discussion until another time and see if it is aporpoise or something else that it attracting the curious crowd to theother side of the ship. "

As they followed the hurrying people across the deck, Mr. Chester wenton: "After you have crossed the ocean a few more times you will discoverthat there are only two things which make the people rush franticallyand in hordes to the rail. The one that isn't a porpoise is a passingsteamer. "

Sure enough, the object of interest this time was a distant steamer, which was clearly visible on the horizon. It was sharply outlinedagainst the blue sky, and the sunlight gave it its true value of colour, while the dark smoke that poured from its smokestack floated backhorizontally like a broad ribbon. But owing to the distance there was noeffect of motion, and even the smoke as well as the vessel seemed to bestationary. 

"That isn't a real steamer, " said Patty whimsically; "it's a chromo-lithograph. I've often seen them in the offices of steamship companies. This one isn't framed, as they usually are, but it's only a chromo allthe same. There's no mistaking its bright colouring and that badlypainted smoke. "

Young Chester laughed. "You Americans are so clever, " he said. "Now anEnglish girl would never have known that that was only a paintedsteamer. But as you say, you can tell by the smoke. That's pretty badlydone. "

Patty took a decided liking to this jesting Englishman, and thought himmuch more entertaining than the melancholy French musician. 

She discovered that very evening that Mr. Chester possessed a finevoice, and when after dinner a dozen or more young people gathered roundthe chairs of the Farrington party, they all sang songs until Mrs. Farrington declared she never wanted to attend a more delightfulconcert. 

Mr. Pauvret brought his violin, and the Van Ness boys produced a banjoand a madolin. Everybody seemed to sing at least fairly well, and someof the voices were really fine. Patty's sweet soprano received manycompliments, as also did Elise's full, clear contralto. The girls wereaccustomed to singing together, and Mr. Pauvret proved himself a truemusician by his sympathetic accompaniments. 

Everybody knew the popular songs of the day, and choruses and glees weresung with that enthusiasm which is always noticeable on the water. 

The merry party adjourned to the dining-room for a light supper aftertheir vocal exercises. 

Patty was sorry that her friend and tablemate, the old Ma'amselle, hadnot been visible since that first dinner. Upon inquiry she learned thatthe old lady had fallen a victim to the effects of the rolling sea. 

"But she'll soon be around again, " said the captain in his bluff, cheeryway; "Ma'amselle Labesse has crossed with me many times, and though sheusually succumbs for two or three days, she is a good sailor after that. She is passionately fond of music, too, and when she is about again youyoung people must make the old ship ring for her. "

This they readily promised to do, and then they wound up the evening bya vigorous rendition of the "Marseillaise, " followed by "The StarSpangled Banner" and "God Save the King. "

It was all a delightful experience for Patty, who dearly loved lightsand music and flowers and people and gay goings on, and she felt thatshe was indeed a fortunate girl to have all these pleasures come to her. 

CHAPTER VIII

DAYS AT SEA

The time on shipboard passed all too quickly. 

Each day was crammed full of various amusements and occupations, andPatty and Elise enjoyed it all thoroughly. 

Although the majority of passengers were French, yet they nearly allspoke English, and there were a number of Americans and English people, who proved to be pleasant and companionable. 

The young people from Chicago seemed to wear well, and as she grew toknow them better Patty liked them very much. The Van Ness girls, thoughbreezy in their manner, were warm-hearted and good-natured, and theirboy cousins were always ready for anything, and proved themselvescapable of good comradeship. 

The English girl, Florrie Nash, Patty could not quite understand. Florrie seemed to be willing to be friends, but there was a coldness andreserve about her nature that Patty could not seem to penetrate. 

As she expressed it to Elise, "Florrie never seems herself quite certainwhether she likes us or we like her. "

"Oh, it's only her way, " said Elise; "she doesn't know how to chum, that's all. "

But Patty was not satisfied with this, and determined to investigate thematter. 

"Come for a walk, " she said, tucking her arm through Florrie's onemorning. "Let's walk around the deck fifty times all by ourselves. Don'tyou want to?"

"Yes, if you like;" and Florrie walked along by Patty's side, apparentlywilling enough, but without enthusiasm. 

"Why do you put it that way?" asked Patty, smiling; "don't you like togo yourself?"

"Yes, of course I do; but I always say that when people ask me to doanything. It's habit, I suppose. All English people say it. "

"I suppose it is habit, " said Patty; "but it seems to me you'd have awhole lot better time if you felt more interest in things, or rather, ifyou expressed more interest. Now look at the Van Ness girls; they'rejust bubbling over with enthusiasm. "

"The Van Ness girls are savages, " remarked Florrie, with an air ofdecision. 

"Indeed they're not!" cried Patty, who was always ready to stand up forher friends. "The trouble with you, Florrie, is that you're narrow-minded; you think that unless people have your ways and your mannersthey are no good at all. "

"Not quite that, " returned Florrie, laughing. "Of course, we Englishhave our prejudices, and other people call us narrow; but I think weshall always be so. "

"I suppose you will, " said Patty; "but anyway you would have more fun ifyou enjoyed yourself more. "

"It's good of you, Patty, to care whether I enjoy myself or not. "

Florrie's tone was so sincere and humble as she said this that Pattybegan to realise there was a good deal of character under Florrie'sindifferent manner. 

"Of course I care. I have grown to like you, Florrie, in these few days, and I want to be good friends with you, if you'll let me. "

"If you like, " said Florrie again, and Patty perceived that the phrasewas merely a habit and did not mean the indifference it expressed. 

"And I want you to visit me, " went on Florrie. "I'm travelling now toParis with my aunt, who took me to the States for a trip. From Paris Ishall soon go back to my country home in England, and I wish you wouldvisit me there--you and Elise both. Oh, Patty, you have no idea howbeautiful England is in the springtime. The may blooms thickly along thelanes, till they're masses of pink fragrance; and the sky is the mostwonderful blue, and the birds sing, and it is like nothing else in allthe world. "

The tears came into Florrie's eyes as she spoke, and Patty was amazedthat this cold-blooded girl should be so moved at the mere thought ofthe spring landscape. 

"I should dearly love to visit you, Florrie, but I can't promise, ofcourse, for I'm with the Farringtons, and must do as they say. "

"Yes, of course; but I do hope you can come. You would love our countryplace, Patty; it is so large, and so old, and so beautiful. "

Florrie said this with no effect of boasting, but merely with a sincereappreciation of her beautiful home. Then as she went on to tell of theanimals and pets there, and of the park and woods of the estate, Pattyfound that the girl could indeed be enthusiastic when she chose. 

This made Patty like her all the better, for it proved she hadenthusiasm enough when a subject appealed to her. 

But when they were joined by the crowd of gay young people begging themto come and play games, Florrie seemed to shut up into herself again, and assumed once more her air of cold indifference. 

But if Florrie was lacking in enthusiasm, it was not so with another ofPatty's friends. 

Ma'amselle Labesse, who had recovered from her indisposition, had takena violent fancy to Patty and would have liked to monopolise hercompletely. 

Patty was kind to the old lady and did much to entertain her, but shewas not willing to give up all her time to her. The old ma'amsellegreatly delighted to carry Patty off to her stateroom, there to talk toher or listen to her read aloud. Except for her maid, ma'amselle wasalone, and Patty felt sorry for her and was glad to cheer her up. Notthat she needed cheering exactly, for she was of a merry and volatiledisposition, except when she gave way to exhibitions of temper, whichwere not infrequent. 

One morning she called Patty to her room, and surprised the girl bygiving her a present of a handsome and valuable old necklace. It was ofcuriously wrought gold, and though Patty admired it extremely, shehesitated about accepting such a gift from a comparative stranger. "

"But yes, " said ma'amselle, "it is for you. I wish to give it to you. Ihave taken such a fancy to you, you could scarce believe. And I adore todecorate you thus. " She clasped the necklace about Patty's throat, withan air that plainly said she would be much offended if the gift wererefused. So Patty decided to keep it, at least until she could get anopportunity to ask Mrs. Farrington's advice on the subject. 

When she did ask her, Mrs. Farrington told her to keep it by all means. She said she had no doubt the old ma'amselle enjoyed making the gift farmore than Patty was pleased to receive it, so Patty kept the trinket, which was really a very fine specimen of the goldsmith's art. 

"And, my dear, " the old lady went on, the day that she gave Patty thenecklace, "you must and shall come to visit me in my chateau. My home isthe most beautifull--an old chateau at St. Germain, not far from Paris, and you can come, but often, and stay with me for the long time. "

Patty thanked her, but would not promise, as she had made up her mind toaccept no invitations that could not include the Farringtons. 

But Ma'amselle Labesse did include the Farringtons, and invited thewhole party to visit her in the winter. 

Mrs. Farrington gave no definite answer, but said she would see aboutit, and perhaps they would run out for the week-end. 

For the first five or six days of their journey the weather was perfectand the ocean calm and level. But one morning they awoke to find itraining, and later the rain developed into a real storm. The wind blewfuriously and the boat pitched about in a manner really alarming. Theold ma'amselle took to her stateroom, and Mrs. Farrington also wasunable to leave hers. But the girls were pleased rather than otherwise. Patty and Elise proved themselves thoroughly good sailors, and wereamong the few who appeared at the table at luncheon. 

After the meal, Bob and Guy Van Ness came up to the girls and asked themif they cared to brave the storm sufficiently to go out on deck. Elise, though not timid, declared that she could see all she wished through thewindows; but Patty, always ready for a new experience, expressed herdesire to go. 

She put on her own little rain-coat and tied a veil over her small cap, but when she presented herself as ready the boys laughed at herpreparations. 

"That fancy little mackintosh is no good, " said Bob; "but you wait aminute, Patty; we'll fix you. "

Bob disappeared, and soon returned, bringing from somewhere an oilskincoat and cap of a brilliant yellow color. These enveloped Pattycompletely, and as the boys were arrayed in similar fashion, they lookedlike three members of a life-saving corps, or, as Patty said, like theman in the advertisement of cod-liver oil. 

Although the yellow oilskins were by no means beautiful, yet Patty'srosy face peeping out from under the queer-shaped, ear-flapped cap was apretty picture. 

Laughing with glee, they stepped out on the deck into the storm. Thestepping out was no easy matter, for the wind was blowing a hurricaneand the spray was dashing across the decks, while the rain seemed tocome from all directions at once. 

With the two big boys on either side of her, Patty felt no fear, and asthey walked forward toward the bow of the ship she felt well repaid forcoming out by the grandeur of the sight. It was impossible todistinguish sea from sky, as both were of the same leaden grey, and thetorrents of rain added to the obscurity. The ocean was in a turmoil, frothing and fuming, and the waves rolled over and broke against theship with angry vehemence. Patty, though not frightened, was awed at themajesty of the elements, and did not in the least mind the rain andspray in her face as she gazed at the scene. 

"You're good wood!" exclaimed Guy; "not many girls could stand upagainst a storm like this. "

Patty shook the wet curls out of her eyes as she smiled up at him. "Ilove it!" she exclaimed, but she could hardly make her voice heard forthe roar of the sea and the storm. 

Up and down the decks they walked, or rather tried to walk, now battlingagainst the wind, and now being swept along in front of it, until almostexhausted, Patty dropped down on a coil of rope in a comparativelysheltered corner. The boys sat down beside her, and they watched theangry ocean. At times the great waves seemed as if they would engulf thepitching ship, but after each wave the steamer righted herself proudlyand prepared to careen again on the next. 

After a time Patty declared she'd had enough of it, and also expressedher opinion that oilskins were not such a positive protection againstthe wet as they were reputed to be. 

So indoors they went, warm and glowing from their vigorous exercise, andtheir appetites sharpened by their rough battle with the weather. 

Every day there seemed to be something new to do. 

"I've been told, " said Patty, "that life on an ocean steamer ismonotonous, but I can't find any monotony. We've done somethingdifferent every day, haven't we, Elise?"

"Yes; and next will be the concert, and that will be best of all. Whatare you going to sing, Patty?"

"I don't know. I don't want to sing at all, but your mother said I'dbetter sing once, because they all insist on it so, and I do like to beaccommodating. "

"I should think you did, Patty; you're never anything butaccommodating. "

"Oh, pooh! It's no trouble to me to sing. I'd just as lief do it as not;only it seems foolish for me to sing when there are so many older peoplewith better voices to do it. "

"Well, sing some simple little ballad, and I don't believe but what thepeople will like it just as much as the arias and things sung by themore pretentious singers. "

So Patty followed Elise's advice, and when the night of the concert cameher name was on the programme for one song. 

And, as Elise had thought, it pleased the audience quite as well as someof the more elaborate efforts. 

Patty wore one of her pretty new dresses, a simple little frock of whitechiffon cloth, with touches here and there of light blue velvet. Heronly ornament was the necklace that Ma'amselle Labesse had given her, and in her curly golden hair was a single white rose. 

Very sweet she looked as she stood on the platform to sing her littlesong. She had chosen "My Ain Countree" as being likely to please apopular audience, and also not difficult to sing. 

Mr. Pauvret accompanied her on his violin, and so effective was hisaccompaniment and so sweet pretty Patty's singing of the old song, thattheir performance proved to be the most attractive number on theprogramme. So prolonged was the applause and so persistent the cry of"Encore!" that Patty felt she really must respond with another song. 

So she sang Stevenson's little verses, "In Winter I Get Up at Night, "which have been set to such delightful music. Again Mr. Pauvret'saccompaniment added to the charm of the song, and Patty returned to herplace in the audience, quite embarrassed at the praises heaped upon her. 

Elise sang, too, in a quartette of four girls. They had practisedtogether considerably, and sang really well. There were many othermusical numbers, interspersed with monologues and recitations, and theprogramme wound up with a series of tableaux. 

Patty was in her element in these, and had helped to arrange them. Shetook part in some of them herself, and in others she arranged the groupsto form effective pictures. An immense gilt picture frame, stretchedacross with gauze, was at the front of the stage. This was held up oneither side by two able-bodied seamen of the ship, in their sailorcostume. All of the tableaux were shown as pictures in this frame, andthey called forth enthusiastic and appreciative applause. 

Old Ma'amselle Labesse had been induced to appear in one of thetableaux, and as she possessed strikingly handsome costumes, she woreone of the prettiest, and made an easily recognisable representation ofa painting by Nattier. Altogether the concert was a great success andeverybody had a good time. It was expected that they would see land thenext day, and so the concert partook of the nature of a farewellfunction. Everybody was shaking hands and saying good-bye to everybodyelse, and after many good wishes and good-nights our two tired andsleepy girls went to their stateroom. 

CHAPTER IX

PARIS

The next morning the girls spent in packing and getting ready to goashore. "I'm sure I don't know where all these things came from, " saidPatty; "but I know I have just about twice as many earthly possessionsas I had when I came aboard. I hate to pitch them out of the porthole, but I simply can't get them all in my trunks. "

"Nor I, " said Elise. "People have been giving us things ever since westarted, and we must be greedies, because we haven't given anythingaway, and now what shall we do with them?"

"Let's give a lot away, " said Patty. "We've pretty much read all we wantto of this mountain of light literature. Let's give it all to thestewardess; and what do you think, Elise, about giving Yankee Doodle tothe captain? He is a blessed old bear, and I hate to look forward tolife without him, but I don't see how we can cart him to Paris, unlesswe carry him in our arms, and that's where I draw the line. "

"So do I, " declared Elise. "We might ask Lisette to carry him, but Iknow she wouldn't want to do it. Yes, let's give him to the captain as asouvenir of our trip. "

This plan was carried out, and the captain was really delighted at thecomical gift. He said he should always keep it as a remembrance of thedonors, and he hoped that when they returned to America they would againtravel on his ship. 

The steamer stopped at Plymouth and then went straight on to Havre. Everybody was in a great state of excitement; passengers were gettingoff and mails getting on at Plymouth, and plenty of wonderful andinteresting things to look at as they sailed along the channel. 

Patty felt truly sorry to say good-bye to many of the friends she hadmade on board. But from others she would not be parted until theyreached Paris. The Van Ness party, the old Ma'amselle, Florrie Nash, Bert Chester, and Mr. Pauvret were all going in the special train toParis, as the Farringtons were. 

Patty thought this meant they could all travel together, but to hersurprise she found the French trains very different from those onAmerican railroads. 

The special boat-train which they were to take left directly from thesteamer's dock and was an express direct to Paris without stop, landingthem there in less than four hours. 

The Farrington party had a whole compartment in this train, and as acompartment only holds six people, they comfortably filled it, using theextra seat for hand luggage and so forth. 

Patty thought the appointments more luxurious than our own parlour-cars, for the seats were beautifully upholstered in a pearl-grey material, andeverything was lavishly decorated, after the French fashion. All ofthese compartments opened on to a corridor which ran along the side ofthe car, and Patty soon discovered that thus she could visit herneighbours in the other compartments. 

Both Patty and Elise were greatly excited and interested in watching theFrench landscapes, and trying to make out the names of the towns throughwhich they rapidly flew. But with the exception of some of the largertowns they could not read the names, and so gave that up for the moreinteresting occupation of watching the villages and hamlets as theysucceeded each other. 

Bert Chester came in to visit them, and expressed a hope that he mightsee them in Paris. 

He was to remain there only a week, and then he was to join some of hisfriends, some young Englishmen, and go for a short motor tour insouthern France. 

Mr. Farrington said that he expected to take his party motoring alongthe same route, but did not expect to go at present. 

Young Chester was sorry that they could not go together, but said thatperhaps when Mr. Farrington was ready he and his friends would come overagain for another spin. 

Bert Chester was a son of a wealthy English squire, and thoughdistinctly British in his ways, was broad-minded enough to likeAmericans, and moreover was a young man of innate politeness and affablemanners. The elder Farringtons liked him extremely, and cordiallyinvited him to come to see them while in Paris. 

"We sha'n't have a house of our own just at first, " explained Elise;"we're going to a hotel while father and mother look around and select ahouse for the winter. "

"I'm glad, " said Patty, "to go to a hotel first. I've never stayed at abig hotel, and I'm sure it will be delightful for a time. "

 [Illustration with caption: "The next morning the girls spent inpacking and getting ready to go ashore"]

"You'll like the one you're going to, " said Chester. "The Ritz is reallythe old palace of the Castiglione, an ancient French family, and thoughit is, of course, somewhat rebuilt, much of the original remains, especially the beautiful old garden with its wonderful trees andfountain. I'll give you a day or two to 'find yourselves, ' and then Ishall come around to call, and shall expect you to be glad to see me. "

"We'll be very glad to see you, " said Patty cordially, for she had asincere liking for the young Englishman. 

Then Patty and Elise went with Bert to look in for a little chat withthe Van Ness party. Although Patty liked the Van Ness girls in a way, she was rather relieved to find that they were not going to the samehotel. 

Patty had an intuitive sense of the fitness of things, and she couldn'thelp thinking that the Van Ness sisters, though good-hearted and good-natured, were of a type apt to be a trifle too conspicuous in a largehotel. The Farringtons were quiet-mannered folk, and Patty had oftennoticed and admired the dignified yet pleasant manner which Mr. Farrington invariably showed to officials or to servants. 

He never gave orders in a loud voice or dictatorial manner, yet hisorders were always carried out obediently and willingly, and everybodyshowed him the greatest respect and deference. Mr. Van Ness on the otherhand was imperious and ostentatious. He was prone to be critical, andoften became annoyed at trifles. Patty was rapidly learning that thetrue character can be very easily discovered among one's travellingcompanions. There is something about the friction of travel that bringsout all that is worst and best in one's disposition. 

And so when Patty found that the Van Nesses were going to a differenthotel from themselves she was really glad, though she hoped to see themoccasionally during their stay in Paris. 

The train reached the Gare du Nord at about six o'clock, and when ourparty went into the rather dimly lighted station Patty thought she hadnever before seen such pandemonium. Everybody seemed to be in trouble ofsome sort. Some were running hither and thither, exclaiming andexpostulating, but apparently to no avail. Others sat hopelessly andhelplessly on their own luggage, seeming to despair of ever getting anyfurther. 

The luggage room was an immense place, stone-floored and rather damp. There were several separate counters where passengers were supposed toattend to the checking of their baggage; but though there were plenty ofofficials and porters about, none of them seemed anxious or even willingto wait upon anybody. Patty saw many people appeal to one man afteranother in a vain hope of getting their wants attended to. But it seemedto be almost impossible. To those who could not speak French thesituation was hopeless indeed. Patty watched one poor lady, who seemedto be travelling alone, and who continually inquired of the stolid andunobliging porters, "Do you speak English?" and invariably received thereply, "Non, madame; non, madame. " The lonely little lady seemed to bein despair, and Patty wished she could help her, but she did not knowherself what made the difficulty. At last she discovered that it wasnecessary to get a customs inspector and a porter and a railway officialall together in one place and at one time. This done, the rest was easy, at least to the traveller who knew sufficient French to make his wantsknown. 

This Mr. Farrington managed to accomplish after some delay. The officialceremonies then being soon over, and our travellers having repeatedlydeclared that they were transporting nothing eatable, they were allowedto drive away in cabs. The cabs in Paris are of the low, open pattern, like a victoria, and they looked very strange and informal to Patty, whohad never seen any but closed cabs or hansoms. Mr. And Mrs. Farringtonrode in the first cab, which was followed by another, containing Pattyand Elise, with Lisette, who sat on the small, folding front seat. 

Patty held her breath with excitement when she realised that she was inParis at last. 

They drove through the streets, which were not very well lighted, gazingeagerly at the strange sights everywhere about them. 

Their hotel was in the Place Vendome, and the drive there from thestation was not through the beautiful boulevards, but through somenarrow and not particularly clean streets. 

But when they rolled into the Rue de la Paix and drove toward the PlaceVendome, the girls began to think that Paris was beautiful, after all. 

It was rather more than dusk, but not dark, and the great square, withits circumference of colonnaded buildings, and the wonderful column inthe centre, was exceedingly impressive, and filled Patty's soul with arapturous awe. 

"Oh, Elise, " she cried, grasping her companion's hand; "I never supposedParis would be like this! I thought it would be bright and gay andfestive; but instead of that, it's grand and solemn and awe-inspiring. "

"So it is, here, " said Elise; "but there is plenty of brightness andgaiety in some parts of the city, I expect. Of course, this is historicground, and I suppose it was pretty much as it is now in the days whenthey were building French history. That's Napoleon on top of thatstatue, though you can't recognise him from here. You know about thecolumn, of course. It's been overthrown and rebuilt three or fourtimes. "

"Yes, I remember studying about it in French history. It was torn downat the time of the Commune, and later re-erected from the fragments. Butyou know when you study those dry facts they don't seem to meananything; but to be here, really in Paris, looking at that wonderfulcolumn, in this dusky light, and the stars just beginning to show--oh, Elise, it's more like fairy tales than history!"

"I love it, too, " said Elise; "and I'm so glad to be here with you. Oh, Patty, we are going to have a beautiful time!"

"Well, I rather guess we are!" said Patty, with true Yankee enthusiasm. 

Then their cabs drove in at the arched entrance of the Hotel Ritz, and amost important looking personage in blue uniform assisted them toalight. Other attendants in unostentatious livery swung open the glassdoors and our party entered. The proprietor, who advanced to meet them, was a courtly, polite Frenchman, in correct evening dress, whose suaveand deferential manner was truly typical of his race. He seemed to takea personal interest in his newly arrived guests, and himself conductedthem to their apartments. 

Patty followed with the rest, feeling almost like pinching herself tosee if she were awake or in an enchanted dream. The hotel wasparticularly beautiful, and the furnishings unlike any she had ever seenbefore. Carpets, furniture, and decorations were all in the palest tintsof lovely colours. Doors and windows and many of the partitioned wallswere of glass, in ornate gilt frames, through which one could seefascinating rooms beyond. A few choice pictures hung on the walls, andhere and there were French cabinets of curios and rare laces. 

The elevator seemed to be entirely of glass, and was furnished withdainty white upholstery and gilded woodwork. Bouquets of fresh flowerswere here and there on small tables in the rooms and halls. 

The suite of rooms allotted to the Farringtons looked out upon the PlaceVendome, and Patty flew to the window to gaze again upon the beautifulscene. 

The rooms were daintily furnished with the same exquisite taste thatprevailed throughout the house. Lace curtains framed the deep-seatedwindows, an Empire clock and candelabra graced the carved mantel, andthe furniture was rich and abundant. 

"I don't think, " said Patty, "that I ever saw a more beautiful palace. And I'm so glad I'm here I don't know what to do! Just think of it, Elise, we'll live here in this lovely room for a fortnight anyway!"

"It is lovely, " said Elise; "but I expect we'll get tired of hotel lifeand be glad to have a home of our own. "

"Very likely, " said Patty, with a little sigh of content; "but I shallbe perfectly happy wherever we are. "

"I believe you will, Patty, " said Elise, laughing; "you love thisbeautiful place, but if it hadn't been half as pretty, you would havemade just as much fuss over it. "

"I know it, " said Patty, rather apologetically; "but I can't help it, Elise. I seem to be made that way. When I like anything, you know, Ienjoy it just as much as I possibly can, and that's all I can do, anyway. "

The room which the two girls were to share was a large double-beddedapartment, with dressing rooms and bath adjoining. It was perfect inevery detail of comfort and luxury as well as beauty, but when Lisettecame in to assist the girls in dressing for dinner she found them bothhanging out of the front windows gazing at the Vendome Column. 

However, they expressed themselves as quite ready to prepare for dinner, and after doning pretty light costumes, they joined Mr. And Mrs. Farrington, and went down to the dining-room. 

The dining-room proper of the hotel was an indoor apartment, but allthrough the summer the guests were accustomed to dine under the opensky, at small tables in the garden. 

Owing to an unusually late season, it was still warm enough to dineoutside, and when Patty saw the scene in the garden she thought Pariswas fairyland indeed. Though called a garden, it was really a stone-paved court, but all round its edge on two sides were large old treeswith gnarled and twisted trunks and thick foliage of glossy green. Underthe trees were flower-beds full of blossoming plants, and in thebranches of the trees themselves were hung vari-coloured globes ofelectric lights about the size of an orange. The effect of thesebrilliant spheres in the dark trees was as beautiful as it was unusual, and the scene was further made bright by arches and festoons ofbrilliant coloured lights, which crossed and twined above their heads inevery direction. At the end of the garden was an immense fountainsurrounded by statues, and playing many jets of water, which flashed andsparkled in the light. 

Around two sides of the garden ran the verandas of the hotel, and thediners could sit on these verandas or out in the open, as theypreferred. 

The gay scene was completed by the throngs of people; the French womenin their dainty costumes, the French men with their correct garb anddemeanour, as well as a good sprinkling of strangers from othercountries. 

So interested was Patty in looking at it all that she declared shedidn't want a thing to eat. But when the choice selections of Frenchcookery were placed before her, she changed her mind and did fulljustice to the repast. 

After dinner they sat for a short time in the drawing-room, and then Mr. Farrington declared they must all go to rest, as he had planned a busyday for them on the morrow. 

CHAPTER X

SIGHTSEEING

They rose next morning to find a perfect autumn day awaiting them. ToPatty's surprise, dainty breakfast trays were brought to their bedsides. 

"It is the custom of the country, " Elise explained; "nobody ever goesdownstairs to breakfast in Paris. "

"It's a custom that suits me well enough--at least, what there is of it. I'm free to confess that this rather smallish cup of chocolate and twonot very large rolls and a tiny bit of butter do not seem to me all thata healthy appetite can desire. "

"I'm afraid you're an incorrigible American, " said Elise, laughing. "Now, this little spread is ample for me, but I dare say you can havemore if you want it. "

"No indeed, " said Patty; "when I'm in Paris, I'll do as the Romans do, even if I starve. "

But Patty didn't starve, for it was not long before Mr. Farrington sentword that the girls were to come downstairs as soon as possible, equipped for a drive. 

But before the drive he insisted that they should eat a good andsubstantial breakfast, as he wanted them to put in a long morningsightseeing. 

Mrs. Farrington had concluded not to go with them, as she was restingafter her journey, and, moreover, the sights were not such a novelty toher as they would be to the young people. 

So when they were all ready to start they found an automobile at thedoor, waiting for them. 

"This is the most comfortable way to see Paris, " said Mr. Farrington asthey got in. "I have taken this car for a week on trial, and if itproves satisfactory we can keep it all winter. "

A chauffeur drove the car, and Mr. Farrington sat in the tonneau betweenthe two girls, that he might point out to them the places of interest. 

If Patty had thought Paris beautiful by night she thought it even moreso in the clear, bright sunshine. There is no sunshine in the worldquite so clearly bright as that of Paris, or at least it seems so. 

"I want you to get the principal locations fixed in your minds, " saidMr. Farrington, "so now, as you see, we are starting from the PlaceVendome, going straight down the short Rue Castiglione to the Rue deRivoli. Now, we have reached the corner, and we turn into the Rue deRivoli. This is a beautiful street, crowded with shops on one side, andon the other side at this point you see the garden of the Tuileries. Weturn to the right and go directly to the Place de la Concorde. As wereach it you may see to the right, up through the Rue Royale, the Churchof the Madeleine. That is one of the most beautiful of the Parischurches, and you shall visit it, of course, but not now. To-day I wantyou to get merely a birdseye view, a sort of general idea of locations. But here we are in the Place de la Concorde. The Obelisk, which you seein the centre, was brought from Egypt many years ago. It is very likeour own Obelisk in Central Park, and also Cleopatra's needle in London. From here we turn into one of the most beautiful avenues in the world, the Champs Elysees. This avenue extends from the Place de la Concorde tothe Arc de Triomphe. Viewing it as we do now, rolling along this perfectroad in a motor car--or automobile, as we must learn to call it while inFrance--you are taking, no doubt, one of the most perfect rides in theworld. The full name of the arch is Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile. Thismeans a star, and it is called thus because it is a centre from whichradiate no less than a dozen beautiful avenues. We will drive slowlyround the arch, that you may see its general beauty, but we will not nowstop to examine it closely. "

"It is so different, " exclaimed Patty, "to see these things in reality, or to study about them in history. I've seen pictures of this arch lotsof times, but it never seemed before as if it were a real thing. Isn'tit beautiful! I think I could spend a whole day looking at it. "

Patty's love of the beautiful was intuitive and all embracing. She knewlittle of architecture or sculpture technically, but the sublime majestyand imposing grandeur of the noble arch impressed her, as it does alltrue beauty lovers. 

"The continuation of the Champs Elysees beyond the arch, " went on Mr. Farrington, "changes its name and becomes the Avenue de la Grand Armee. But we will not continue along that way at present, but take the nextavenue to the left, which is the Avenue du Bois de Boulogne. "

"Why, I thought that was a forest, " said Patty; "is it a street?"

"It's an avenue, " replied Mr. Farrington, "and it leads to the forest, or rather park, which is called the Bois de Boulogne. We can take only ashort drive into the park, but you may see a few of the beautifulchateaus, which are the homes of the wealthy or aristocratic Frenchpeople. You will not meet many equipages at this hour in the morning, but late in the afternoon there is a continuous stream of fine turnoutsof all sorts. There are many, many places of interest in the Bois, butas we have all winter in which to visit them, we will content ourselvesto-day with a brief visit. "

"It begins to look, " said Patty, "as if even a whole winter would be alltoo short to see the beauties and glories of this wonderful Paris. "

"Indeed, it would be too short to see everything of interest, but I canassure you, my child, that with an automobile and some idea ofsystematic sightseeing we can do a great deal even in one winter. "

Mr. Farrington pointed out various prominent buildings as they passedthem, and then, turning round, went back to the city. A swift ride aboutParis showed to the girls such interesting places as the Louvre, and theHotel de Ville, the Place de la Bastile, the Hotel des Invalides, thePantheon, and the Church of Notre-Dame. 

At the last named Mr. Farrington proposed that they get out and make ashort visit to the cathedral. 

They did so, and both Patty and Elise were much impressed by the noblebeauty of the interior. 

As they passed around the church Patty noticed a little Frenchwoman, whoseemed to be selling candles. The candles were of an unusual type-long, slender and very tapering. It occurred to Patty that she would like totake some home to Nan, as they would be most effective in an odd brasscandlestick which was one of Nan's chief treasures. The candlestick hadseven branches, and as her French seemed to desert her at the criticalmoment, Patty indicated her wants by holding up seven fingers, pointingto the candles and then taking out her purse. 

The Frenchwoman seemed to understand, and began counting out sevencandles. Patty looked anxiously after Mr. Farrington and Elise, who hadgone on ahead, not noticing that Patty had stopped. But she knew shecould soon catch up to them if only she could get her candles and manageto pay for them in the confusing and unfamiliar French money. As she wascounting out the change, greatly to her surprise, the Frenchwomanlighted her seven candles, one after the other. Patty exclaimed indismay, wondering if she did it to test their wicks, or what could bethe reason. But even as she watched her the woman placed the candles, all seven of them, in a sort of a branched candlestick on the wall aboveher head. 

"Non! Non!" cried Patty; "they are MINE, MINE! comprenez-vous? Mine!"

"Oui, oui, oui, " exclaimed the Frenchwoman, nodding her headcomplacently, and taking Patty's money, which she put in a box on thetable before her. 

"But I want them!" cried Patty. "I want to take them away with me!"

Still the woman smiled amiably, and Patty realised she was notunderstanding a word. But all Patty's French, and it was not very muchat best, seemed to fly out of her head and she could not even think howto say, "I wish to take them away with me. " So seeing nothing else todo, she cut the Gordian knot of her dilemma by reaching up and takingthe candles from the sockets. She blew them out, and holding them in abundle, said pleasantly, "Papier?" having thought of a French word atlast that expressed what she wished. 

The woman looked at her in amazement, as if she had done somethingwrong, and poor Patty was thoroughly perplexed. 

"Why, I bought them, " she exclaimed, forgetting the Frenchwoman couldnot understand her, "and I paid you for them, and now they're mine, AndI'm going to take them away. If you won't give me any paper to wrap themin, I'll carry them as they are. Eon jour!"

But by this time Mr. Farrington and Elise had returned in search oftheir missing comrade, and Patty appealed to Mr. Farrington, explainingthat she had purchased the candles. 

"Why, yes, they're yours, child, and certainly you may take them away ifyou like. But it is not customary; usually people buy the candles toburn at the shrine of their patron saint, or in memory of some friend, and, of course, the woman supposed that was your intention. "

"Well, I'm glad to understand it, " said Patty, "and I wish you'd pleaseexplain it to her, for I certainly do want to keep the candles, and Icouldn't make her understand. "

So Mr. Farrington explained the state of the case in French that thewoman could understand, and all was well, and Patty walked off intriumph with her candles. 

Then they went back past the Louvre, and leaving the automobile again, they went for a short walk in the garden of the Tuileries. This alsofascinated Patty, and she thought it beautiful beyond all words. 

After that Mr. Farrington declared that the girls must be exhausted, andhe took them to a delightful cafe, where he refreshed them with ices andsmall cakes. 

"Now, " he said, "I don't suppose the Eternal Feminine in your naturewill be satisfied without doing a little shopping. The large shops--theBon Marche and the Magasin du Louvre--are very like our own departmentstores, and if you choose you may go there at some other time with Mrs. Farrington or Lisette, for I confess my ignorance of feminine furbelows. But I will take you to one or two interesting shops on the Rue deRivoli, and then if we have time to a few in the Avenue de l'Opera. "

Their first stop was at a picture shop, and Patty nearly went wild overthe beautiful photographs and water colours. She wanted to purchaseseveral, but Mr. Farrington advised her to wait until later, when sheshould perhaps be better able to judge what she really wanted. 

"For you see, " he said, "after you have been to the Louvre and othergreat galleries, and have made favourites, as you will, among thepictures there, you will then be able to collect your photographs moreintelligently. "

Patty was quite ready to abide by this advice, and she and Elise enjoyedlooking over the pictures and anticipating future purchases. 

But though the shops along the Rue de Rivoli were attractive, they werenot nearly so splendid as those on the Avenue de l'Opera. Indeed, Mr. Farrington almost regretted having brought the girls there, for theyquite forgot all else in their delight in looking at the beautifulwares. They seemed content just to walk along the avenue looking in atthe shop windows. 

"I don't want to buy anything yet, " declared Patty. "Later on I expectto get souvenirs for all of the people at home, and I have any amount oforders to execute for Marian. "

"Won't it be fun to do our shopping here?" exclaimed Elise. "I never sawsuch lovely things, and truly, Patty, the prices marked on them arequite cheap. Much more reasonable than in New York, I think. "

"So do I. And oh, Elise, just look at the lovely things in this window!See that lovely pen-wiper, and that dear paper-cutter! Aren't theyunusual?"

"Yes, " exclaimed Elise, equally rapturous; "I don't wonder, Patty, thatpeople like to shop in Paris. It is truly fascinating. But just waituntil we get mother out here with us instead of father. She won't fidgetaround as if she wanted us to go home before we've fairly started!"

Elise looked reproachfully at her father, who was undeniably fidgeting. 

"I'm glad you appreciate the fact, " he said, "that I am impatient to getaway from these shop windows. Never again will I introduce two younggirls into the Parisian shopping district. I've learned my lesson; I'lltake you sightseeing, but Mrs. Farrington must take you shopping. "

Patty laughed good-naturedly, and expressed her willingness to return atonce to the hotel. 

CHAPTER XI

AN EXCURSION TO VERSAILLES

One evening, as our party sat in the drawing-room of the hotel, afterdinner, some callers' cards were brought to them. The guests proved tobe Bert Chester and his three friends, of whom he had told Patty before. The four young men were about to start on a motor tour, and werespending a few days in Paris first. 

They were all big stalwart young Englishmen, and when Bert introducedPaul and Philip Marchbanks and Arthur Oram, Patty thought she had neverseen more pleasant-looking boys. 

"We're jolly glad to be allowed to come to see you, " said PhilMarchbanks, addressing Mrs. Farrington, but including them all in hisconversation; "we know almost nobody in Paris, and we're so glad to seesome friendly faces. "

"We may as well own up, " said his brother Paul, "that we're just a bithomesick. We're going to have a fine time, of course, after we getstarted, but it takes a few days to get used to it. "

It amused Patty to think of these great, big boys being homesick, butshe rather liked their frank admission of it, and she began to ask themquestions about their automobile. 

The boys had no chauffeur with them, and Arthur Oram drove the car, withoccasional assistance from the others. Of course, the boys wereenthusiastic regarding their car, and young Oram particularly fell intodiscussions with Mr. Farrington as to the respective merits of variousmakes. 

"We've done up Paris pretty well, " said Bert Chester; "we've only beenarrested for speeding once; but that's not surprising, for they let yougo about as fast as you like here, and with their marvellously fineroads, it's more like skating than anything else. "

"But you only arrived here when we did, " said Elise; "how can you havedone up Paris so soon?"

"Well, you see, " said Bert, "we're not going to write a book about it, so we didn't have to take it all in. We've seen the outside of theLouvre, and the inside of Napoleon's tomb; we've been to the top of theEiffel tower, and the bottom of the Catacombs; so we flatter ourselvesthat we've done up the length and breadth and height and depths, --atleast to our own satisfaction. "

"It's a great mistake, " said Phil Marchbanks, "to overdo thissightseeing business. A little goes a great way with me, and if I bolt awhole lot of sights all at once, I find I can't digest them, and I havea sort of attack of tourist's indigestion, which is a thing I hate. "

"So do I, " agreed Patty, "and I think you do quite right not to attempttoo much in a short time. We are taking the winter for it, and Mr. Farrington is going to arrange it all for us, so that I know we'll neverhave too much or too little. How much longer are you staying here?"

"Only a few days, " replied Bert Chester, "and that brings me to ourspecial errand. We thought perhaps--that is, we hoped that may be youmight, all of you, agree to go with us to-morrow on a sort of a picnicexcursion to Versailles. We thought, do you see, that we could take ourcar, and you could take yours, and we'd start in the morning and make awhole day of it. "

"Gorgeous!" exclaimed Patty, clapping her hands; "I do think that wouldbe delightful, I'd love to go. "

"Me too, " chimed in Elise; "mother, do say yes, won't you? You knowyou're just as anxious to go there as we are, because you spoke of itonly yesterday. "

"Yes, indeed, " said Mrs. Farrington heartily; "I quite approve of theplan, and if your father has no objection, we can make a charming picnicof it. "

Mr. Farrington was quite as interested in the project as the others, andthey immediately began to arrange the details of the expedition. BertChester had a road map in his pocket, which showed exactly the routesthey could take, but the decision of these things was left to Mr. Farrington and Arthur Oram, who put their heads together over thecomplicated-looking charts and decided upon their way. 

"Do you know, " said Paul Marchbanks, "you're the first American girls Ihave ever known socially? I've seen tourists in railway stations orrestaurants, but I never talked to any Americans before. "

"For goodness' sake!" exclaimed Patty, "have they kept you walled up ina dungeon tower all your life, or what?"

"Not exactly that; but we English fellows who go to school and then tocollege, and meantime live in our country homes, with an occasional runup to London, have almost no opportunity to meet anybody outside of ourown people. And I haven't jogged about as much as a good many fellows. This is the first time I've been to Paris. "

"Then that explains your homesickness, " said Patty, smiling kindly atthe big boy, whose manner was so frank and ingenuous. 

"Yes, " he said; "I suppose I do miss the family, for they ARE a jollylot. Oh, I say, won't you people all come down to our place and see us?You're going to England, of course, before you return to the States, aren't you ?"

"I don't know, " said Elise, smiling; "our plans are uncertain. But if weaccept all the delightful invitations we're continually receiving, Idon't know when we ever shall get back to New York. "

The next day proved to be a most perfect one for an excursion of anysort. They started early, for they wanted to make a long, full day ofit, and return in time for dinner. 

The two automobiles were at the door by nine o'clock, and the party wassoon embarked. As Mr. Farrington did not drive his own car, he went inthe other car, sitting in front with Arthur Orara. In the tonneau ofthis car were Patty and Bert Chester. So in the other car rode Mrs. Farrington and Elise and the two Marchbanks. This arrangement seemedhighly satisfactory to all concerned, and the procession of two carsstarted off gaily. Away they sped at a rapid speed along the ChampsElysees, through the Arch and away toward Versailles. The fresh, crispmorning air, the clear blue sky, and the bright sunlight, added to theexhilaration of the swift motion, endowed them all with the most buoyantspirits, and Patty felt sure she had never looked forward to a merrier, happier day. 

She chatted with Bert Chester, and asked him many questions about thetrip on which he was starting. 

"I don't know just where we are going, " he said. "I leave all that toOram. The rest of us don't care, and Oram loves to spend hours huntingup reasons why we should go to this small village that is picturesque, or that tiny hamlet that is historic. I'm sure the queer little Frenchtowns will all look alike to me, and I'm not awfully keen about suchthings anyhow. I go for the out-door life, and the swift motion, and thefresh air and all that sort of thing. "

"I love that part of it, too, " said Patty, "but also I like seeing thefunny little towns with their narrow streets and squealing dogs. I thinkI have never been through a French village that wasn't just spillingover with squealing dogs. "

"That's because you always go through them in an automobile. If you wereon a walking tour now, you'd find the dogs all asleep. But the paramountidea in a French dog's brain is that he was made for the purpose ofwaking up and barking at motor cars. "

"Well, they're most faithful to what they consider their duty, then, "said Patty, laughing, for even as she spoke they were whizzing through astraggling, insignificant little village, and dogs of all sizes andcolours seemed to spring up suddenly from nowhere at all, and act as ifabout to devour the car and its occupants. 

But notwithstanding the dogs, the villages were exceedingly picturesque, and Patty loved to drive through them slowly, that she might seeglimpses of the life of the people. And it was almost always necessaryto go slowly, for the streets were so narrow, and the sidewalks a mereshelf, so that pedestrians often walked in the road. This made itdifficult to drive rapidly, and, moreover, many of the streets weresteep and hilly. 

"It never seems to matter, " observed Patty, "whether you're going out ofParis or coming in; it's always uphill, and never down. I think thatafter you've climbed a hill, they whisk it around the other way, so thatyou're obliged to climb it again on your return. "

"Of course they do, " agreed Bert; "you can see by the expression of thepeople that they're chuckling at us now, and they'll chuckle again whenwe pass this way to-night, still climbing. "

Neither of the cars in which our party travelled were good hill-climbers, although they could go fast enough on the level. But nobodycared, and notwithstanding some delays, the ground was rapidly covered. 

"There's one town I want to go through, " said Patty, "but I'm not sureit's in our route. It's called Noisy-le-Roi. Of course, I know that, really, Noisy is not pronounced in the English fashion, but I like tothink that it is, and I call it so myself. "

"There's no harm in that; I suppose a free-born American citizen has aright to pronounce French any way she chooses, and I like that waymyself. Noisy-le-Roi sounds like an abode of the Mad Monarch, and youexpect to see the king and all his courtiers and subjects dancing madlyaround or playing hilarious games. "

"Yes, a sort of general racket, with everybody waving garlands andcarrying wreaths, and flags floating and streamers streaming---"

"Yes, and cannon booming, and salutes being fired, and rockets andfireworks going off like mad. "

"Yes, just that! but now I almost hope we won't pass through it, forfear it shouldn't quite come up to our notion of it. "

"If we do come to it, I'll tell you in time, and you can shut your eyesand pretend you're asleep while we go through. "

But the town in question was not on their route after all, and soon theycame flying in to the town of Versailles. Of course, they made for theChateau at once, and alighted from the cars just outside the great wall. 

Patty, being unaccustomed to historic sites, was deeply impressed as shewalked up the old steps and found herself on an immense paved court thatseemed to be fairly flooded with the brightest sunlight she had everseen. As a rule, Mr. Farrington did not enjoy the services of a guide, but for the benefit of the young people in his charge, he engaged one todescribe to them the sights they were to see. 

The whole royal courtyard and the great Equestrian Statue of Louis XIV. Seemed very wonderful to Patty, and she could scarcely realise that thegreat French monarch himself had often stood where she was now standing. 

"I never seemed to think of Louis XIV. , " she said, "as a man. He seemsto me always like a set of furniture, or a wall decoration, or at most acostume. "

"Now you'ye hit it, " said Paul; "Louis XIV. Was, at most, a costume; anda right-down handsome costume, too. I wish we fellows could dress likethat nowadays. "

"I wish so, too, " said Elise; "it's a heap more picturesque than theclothes men wear at the present day. "

"I begin to feel, " said Patty, "that I wish I had studied my Frenchhistory harder. How many kings lived here after Louis XIV. ?"

"Two, " replied Mr. Farrington, "and when, Patty, at one o'clock on thesixth of October, 1789, the line of carriages drove Louis XVI. And hisfamily away from here to Paris, the Chateau was left vacant and hasnever since been occupied. "

"In October, " said Patty, "and probably just such a blue and gold day asthis! Oh, how they must have felt!"

"I wouldn't weep over it now, Patty, " said the matter-of-fact Elise;"they've been gone so long, and so many people have wept for them, thatI think it wasted emotion. "

"I believe it would be, " said Patty, smiling, "as far as they'reconcerned; but I can't help feeling sorry for them, only I could neverweep before, because I never realised what it was they were leaving. "

The party went on into the Chateau, and visited rooms and apartments oneafter the other. It was necessary to do this quickly if they were to doit at all, and, as Mr. Farrington said, a hasty tour of the palace wouldgive them an idea of it as a whole, and sometime he would bring thegirls again to enjoy the details more at leisure. 

Patty was discovering that she was susceptible to what Elise chose tocall wasted emotion, and she found herself again on the verge of tearswhen they entered the Chapel. Though she did not know enough ofarchitecture to survey intelligently the somewhat pompous apartment, shewas delightfully impressed by the rich adornments and the wonderfulsculptures, bronzes and paintings. 

Rather rapidly they passed through the various SALONS of the museum, pausing here and there, as one or another of the party wished to examinesomething in particular. The State Rooms and Royal Apartments were mostinteresting, but Patty concluded that she liked best of all the Galleryof Battles. The splendid pictures of war enthralled her, and she wouldhave been glad had the rest of the party left her to spend the entireday alone in the great gallery. 

But this, of course, they had no wish to do, and with a last lingeringglance at the picture of Napoleon at the battle of Jena, she reluctantlyallowed herself to be led away. 

Napoleon was one of Patty's heroes, and she was eagerly interested inall of the many relics and souvenirs of the great man. 

Especially was she interested in his bedroom, and greatly admired thegorgeous furnishings and quaint, old-fashioned French bedstead. 

Having scurried through the palace and museum, Mr. Farrington declaredthat he could do no more sightseeing until he had eaten some sustainingluncheon. 

So again they climbed into the automobiles and were whisked away to ahotel in the town. 

Here they were provided with a most satisfying meal, which was partakenof amid much merry conversation and laughter. 

CHAPTER XII

SHOPPING

The afternoon was devoted to the gardens and the Trianons. 

Elise was enraptured with the garden, but Patty, while she admired themvery much, thought them too stiff and formal for her taste. Laid out, asthey are, according to the laws of geometrical symmetry, it seemed toPatty that grace and beauty were sacrificed to squares and straightlines. 

But none the less was she interested in the wonderful landscape, andamazed that any grass could be so green as that of the marvelous greencarpet. The multitude of statues and fountains, the walks and terraces, and the exquisite colours of the autumn trees, made a picture that Pattynever forgot. 

The Trianons presented new delights, and Patty fancied herselftransported back to the days of Marie Antoinette and her elaboratelyplanned pleasures. 

A place of especial interest was the carriage house, where are exhibitedthe Royal State carriages. 

As they were about to enter, Phil Marchbanks, who was ahead, turnedround with a look of comical dismay on his face. 

"We can't go in, " he said; "we can't fulfil their requirements!"

"What do you mean?" said Patty. 

"Why here's a sign that says 'wet umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom. ' You see, it's imperative, --and as we have no wet umbrellas toleave in the cloak room, whatever shall we do?"

"Isn't it awful!" said Patty. "Of course, we can't go in if we don'tfulfil their laws. But it's a foolish law, and better broken than kept, so I propose we march on in spite of it. "

So they marched on and spent one of their pleasantest half hoursadmiring the royal coaches. 

The Coronation Carriage of Charles the X. Pleased Patty most, especiallyas it had been restored by Napoleon and bore the magic initial N. On itsregalia. 

Mr. Farrington slyly volunteered the information that it stood forNapoleon the Third, but Patty declared that she didn't care, as anyNapoleon was good enough for her. 

 SHOPPING

Then the various sights of the Trianons claimed their attention, andthey visited the farm and the dairy, and the Temple of Love, and theSwiss Cottage, and the Presbytery, and the Music Pavilion, and the Mill, until they were all mixed up, and Patty declared that her mind wasnothing but a kaleidoscope full of broken bits of gay scenes. 

Then the party went to the Grotto of Apollo, and sat down there for ashort time to rest before returning home. 

"This is the first time, " said Patty, "that it has seemed like a picnic, but this is a real picnic place, --though a much more grand one than Iever picnicked in before. "

"You can probably make up your mind, " said Bert, "that it's about thegrandest picnic place there is; and speaking of picnics, I'd like toinvite all this party to dine with me on our way home. "

"Where is your dining-room?" asked Mrs. Farrington. 

"I'll show you, " said Bert eagerly, "if you'll only go with me. It isn'tquite time to start yet, but it soon will be, and I'll take you to anawfully jolly place and not a bit out of our way, either. "

Mrs. Farrington agreed to go, and the rest eagerly accepted theinvitation, and after resting a little longer, the party leisurelyprepared to start. 

At Bert's direction they spun along the Bois de Boulogne until theyreached the Pavilion d'Armenonville, one of those fairyland out-of-doorrestaurants which abound in and near Paris. 

As it was rather chilly to sit outside, they occupied a table in aglass-protected court, and Bert proved himself a most satisfactory host. 

"We've had an awfully jolly day, " he observed, "at least I have, and Ihope the rest of you put in a good time. It's a satisfaction to feelthat we've done up Versailles, but I may as well confess that I didn'tgo for that purpose so much as to spend a pleasant day with my friends. "

Patty declared that she had enjoyed the society, not only of the friendswho went with her, but the companionship of the invisible ones, whosepresence seemed to haunt every nook and cranny of the palace and park. 

As Patty looked about at their gaily decorated dining place, and lookedout at the brilliantly lighted scene outside, where the vari-colouredelectric lights hung in shining festoons, she came to the conclusionthat Paris was a gay and bright place after all, though when she hadentered it that first night, less than a week ago, she had thought itrather dark and oppressive, "It is dark, " said Phil, as Patty expressed her thoughts; "to be sure, aplace like this is illuminated, but the streets are not half lighted, and I think it's a shame. "

"London streets at night aren't much better as to light, " said Bert, "but I say, you fellows, you just ought to see the streets in New Yorkat night. Whew! they're so bright they just dazzle you, don't they, Patty?"

"Broadway does, but the other streets aren't so awfully light. "

"Well, they're a lot lighter than they are over here. But Paris is theworst of all. Why, I'm scared to be out after nightfall. "

"If that's the case, " said Mrs. Farrington, laughing, "we'd better bestarting now; and at any rate, it's high time my young charges were athome. I hadn't expected Patty and Elise to indulge in quite such grown-up gaieties as dining out here, but I hadn't the heart to refuse forthem your kind invitation. "

Bert expressed his gratitude that Mrs. Farrington had made an exceptionin his favour, and then the whole party started homeward. 

When she reached there, Patty was so tired she could scarcely talk overthe pleasures of the day with Elise, and she tumbled into bed without somuch as a look at her beloved Vendome Column. 

But the next day found the two girls entirely rested and quite ready formore jaunting about. 

But Mrs. Farrington declared that she could do no sightseeing that day, as the somewhat fatiguing trip to Versailles made her quite contented torest quietly for a time. 

So Patty employed her morning happily enough in writing letters home andin arranging her post-card album. 

"I'm so glad, " she said to Elise, "that Clementine gave me this greatbig album, for I see already it is none too large. I've taken out allthe New York views and laid them aside. I shall probably give them tosomebody, as there is no sense in carrying them home again. And I'mfilling the book with Paris views. Isn't it fortunate they inventedpost-cards, for unmounted photographs do curl up so, and I hate thoselittle books of views. "

"Indeed, it's fine, Patty, and you're arranging them beautifully. Ican't do that sort of thing at all; I'm as clumsy at it as ahippopotamus. But I'd love to have a book like yours to take home. "

"I'll give you this one, " said Patty quickly, and she truly meant it, for she was generous by nature, and, too, she was glad to give Elisesomething that she really wanted. 

"I wouldn't take it! you needn't think I'm a pig if I AM ahippopotamus!"

"Well, I'll tell you what I will do, Elise. The first time we goshopping we'll get a big album exactly like this, and then we'll alwaysget duplicate post-cards, --we have so far, anyway, --and I'll fix boththe books. "

"Oh, Patty, that will be lovely! you do it so neatly and daintily; and Ialways tear the corners and smudge the cards and every old thing. I wishwe could go and buy the book this very afternoon. "

"We can't; your mother won't go; she's too tired, and she'd never let usbob about Paris alone. And your father hates to shop, so he wouldn'ttake us. "

"I know it, Patty, but perhaps mother would let us go with Lisette. Anyhow, I'm going to ask her. "

"Why, yes, " said Mrs. Farrington, when the project was laid before her;"I see no reason why you shouldn't go out and do a little shopping incharge of Lisette. She is a native French girl herself, she knows Paristhoroughly, and she's most reliable and trustworthy. But you mustpromise to do only what she allows you to do, and go only where sheadvises. In this expedition she must direct, not you. "

The girls willingly promised, saying that they only wanted to buy thealbum and a few little things. 

"Very well, then, " said Mrs. Farrington; "you may go out for theafternoon. I'm glad to have you out in the sunshine, and you'll alsoenjoy looking at the pretty things in the shops. "

So the girls arrayed themselves in their quiet pretty street costumes, and with Lisette in her tidy black gown, they started out. 

They walked at first along the Rue de Rivoli, fascinated with the lovelytrinkets in the shop windows. Unlike Mr. Farrington, Lisette did notcare how long her young charges tarried, nor was she averse to lookingat the pretty things herself. 

"It's a funny thing, " said Elise, as they came out of a shop, "that thethings in a window are always so much prettier than the things insidethe shop. "

"That's Paris all over, " said Patty; "I think the French not only putthe best foot forward, but the foot they hold back is usually not verypresentable. "

"Yes, I believe that's true; and they always seem to make the best ofeverything, and that's why they're so happy and light-hearted. But herewe are at a stationer's. Let's buy the album here. "

The stationer's proved to be a most distracting place. They bought thealbum, and then they discovered a counter piled with post-cards, inwhich they were soon deeply absorbed. 

"But you mustn't get so many, Elise, " cried Patty, as she looked at thegreat pile Elise had laid aside to buy. "It's no fun at all to get themall at once and fill the book. Then it's all over. The fun is incollecting them slowly, a few at a time. "

"But I want all these, Patty, so why not take them now?"

"No, you don't, either. Now look here, Elise, I'm making your book foryou, so you take my advice in this matter, and you'll afterward admitthat I'm right. "

"You're always right, Patty, " said Elise, smiling lovingly at herfriend; "that's the worst of you! But I'll do as you say this time, only don't let it occur again. "

Patty laughed and allowed Elise to select cards illustrating the placesshe had already seen, persuading her to leave the others until somefuture time. 

Then they looked round the shop further, and discovered many attractivelittle souvenirs to take to friends at home. 

"I think, " said Patty, "I'll just buy some of these things right now. For surely I could never find anything for Frank and Uncle Charliebetter than these queer little desk things. Aren't they unusual, Elise?Are they rococo?"

"Patty, " said Elise, in a stage whisper, "I hate to own up to it, butreally, I never did know what rococo meant! Isn't it something likecloisonne, or is it ormolu?"

Patty laughed. "To be honest, Elise, I don't exactly know myself, but Idon't think you've struck it very closely. However, I'm going to buythis inkstand; I don't care if it's made of gingerbread!"

"And here's a bronze Napoleon; didn't Marian want that?"

"Oh, yes, indeed she did! I'm so glad you discovered him. Isn't he adear little man? Just about three inches high; I believe the realemperor wasn't much more than that. Isn't he on a funny little flatpedestal?"

"It's a seal, " explained the shopkeeper kindly. 

"A seal!" echoed Patty blankly; "why no it isn't! a seal, indeed! why itisn't a bit like a seal; you might just as well call it a Teddy Bear!It's a man!"

Elise was giggling. "He doesn't mean that kind of a seal, Patty, " shesaid; "he means a seal to seal wax with. "

"Oh, " said Patty, giggling, too; "why, so much the better. I beg yourpardon, I'm sure, and I'm glad it's a seal. I can have Marian's monogramcut on it, and she can seal her letters by just letting Napoleon jump onthem. "

She left the order for the monogram, and the affable shopkeeper promisedto send the finished seal home the next day. He seemed greatlyinterested in his two young customers, and had it not been for Lisette'ssharp eye he would have urged them to buy even more of his wares. 

But the canny young French girl had no notion of letting her charges beimposed upon, and she glared haughtily at the shopkeeper when he seemedtoo officious. 

As they were about to leave the shop, some young people entered, and tothe surprise of all, they proved to be the Van Ness girls and theircousins. 

The four young people were out by themselves, and though quite capableof finding their way about alone, Lisette's French notions were a trifleshocked at the unchaperoned crowd. 

But Patty and Elise were so glad to see their friends again that theygave little thought to conventions, and fell to chattering with alltheir might. 

"Why haven't you been to see us?" asked Alicia; "you had our address. "

"I know, " said Elise, "but we've been so busy ever since we've been herethat there hasn't seemed to be time for anything. But we're glad to seeyou now, and isn't it jolly that we chanced to meet here?"

"Yes, indeed, because we're going on to-morrow, --on our travels, I mean, and we wouldn't have had a chance to see you again. But now that we havemet, let's put in a jolly afternoon together. Where are you going?"

"Nowhere in particular; we're just walking around Paris. "

"That's exactly our destination; so let's go nowhere in particulartogether. "

CHAPTER XIII

CHANTILLY

This plan seemed to please everybody except Lisette, who was a littletroubled to have her young ladies going around with these Chicagopeople, of whom she did not quite approve. 

But Patty only laughed at the anxious expression on the French girl'sface. She knew well what was passing in her mind, and she said to herquietly: "It's all right, Lisette, they're our American friends, and Iassure you Mrs. Farrington won't mind a bit, since you are with us. You're dragon enough to chaperon the whole State of Illinois. "

It's doubtful if Lisette knew what the State of Illinois was, but shewas devoted to Patty, and waved her scruples in deference to Patty'swishes, although she kept a stern watch on the big Van Ness boys. 

But Bob and Guy behaved most decorously, and two more polite or well-mannered young men could not have been found among the native Parisiansthemselves. 

Leaving the shop, they continued down the Rue de Rivoli till theyreached the Louvre. 

Doris proposed their going in, and as Patty was most anxious to do so, and Lisette saw no objection to visiting the great museum, they allentered. 

It was Patty's first glimpse of the great picture gallery, and she beganto wish she was not accompanied by the chattering crowd, that she mightwander about wherever her fancy directed. But she remembered she wouldhave ample opportunity for this all winter, so she willingly gave up herown desire to please the Van Ness girls. 

They cared little for pictures, but were really good historicalstudents, and they wanted to visit the rooms which contained curios andrelics of famous people. 

So the whole crowd followed the lead of Doris and Alicia, who hadvisited the Louvre before, and Patty found herself learning a great dealfrom the experienced way in which the girls discussed the exhibits. Shefound, too, that historical relics were more interesting than she hadsupposed, and she almost sighed as she thought of the many things shewanted to see and study during the winter. 

"I hope you'll be here when we come back, " Guy Van Ness said to her, asthey stood together, looking at some old miniatures. 

"I hope so, too, " said Patty. "When are you coming?"

"I don't know exactly; it depends on uncle's plans; but probably aboutJanuary. "

"Oh, yes, we shall surely be here then, and probably living in a home ofour own. Of course, I mean a temporary home, but not a hotel. I hope youwill come to see us. "

"Indeed I will. I wish we could have seen more of you this week, butuncle has rushed us about sightseeing so fast that there was no time forsocial calling. "

"We saw Bert Chester and his crowd, " said Patty; and then she told aboutthe day at Versailles. 

"What a lark!" exclaimed Guy; "I wish I had been along. But you must gosomewhere with us when we're here in January, won't you?"

"I'd like to, " said Patty, "but I can't promise. It all depends on theFarringtons. I'm their guest, so of course I'm under their orders. "

"Well, it won't be my fault if we don't have some fun when we come backhere, " declared Guy, "and I shall do all I can to bring it about. "

When they left the museum it was getting late in the afternoon, andLisette decreed that her young ladies must go home at once. The Van Nesscrowd raised great objection to this, but Lisette was obdurate, andcalling a cab, she ushered the girls in, and then getting in herself, gave the order for home. 

Patty couldn't help laughing at the serious way in which Lisette tookcare of them, but Mrs. Farrington told her it was quite right, and shewould have been displeased had Lisette done otherwise. 

"You don't quite understand, my dear, " she said kindly, "the differencebetween the conventions of Paris and our own New York. It may seemfoolish to you to be so carefully guarded, but I can't quite explain itto you so you would understand it, and therefore I'm going to ask you toobey my wishes without question, and more than that, when Lisette istemporarily in charge of you to obey her. "

"Indeed I will, dear Mrs. Farrington, " said Patty heartily; "and truly Iwasn't rebelling the leastest mite. I'm more than ready to obey you, orLisette, either, only it struck me funny to be put into a cab, likebabies in a baby-carriage by their nursemaid. "

"You're a good girl, Patty, and I don't foresee a bit of trouble intaking care of you. To-morrow I shall feel better, and I'll go shoppingwith you girls myself, and perhaps we may have time to look in at a fewother places. "

So Patty danced away, quite content to take things as they came, andsure that all the coming days were to be filled with all sorts ofnovelties and pleasures. 

Their purchases had been sent home, reaching there before they didthemselves, and Patty immediately fell to work on the albums, placingthe cards in the little slits which were cut in the leaves to receivethem. 

The days flew by like Bandersnatches. Patty herself could not realisewhat became of them. She wrote frequently to the people at home andtried to include all of her young friends in America in hercorrespondence, but it seemed to be impossible, and so finally she tookto writing long letters to Marian, and asking her to send the lettersround to the other girls after she had read them. 

Mr. And Mrs. Farrington had begun their search for a furnished housewhich they might rent for the winter. When they went to look at variousones suggested to them by their agent, they did not take the girls withthem, as Mrs. Farrington said it was too serious a matter in which toinclude two chattering children. 

So Patty and Elise were left pretty much to their own devices while theelder Farringtons went on these important errands. 

But one bright morning when Mr. And Mrs. Farrington were preparing tostart off in the automobile for the day, Elise begged that she and Pattymight be allowed to go off on an excursion of some sort. 

"Indeed, I think you ought, " said Mr. Farrington kindly, "and I'll tellyou what I think would be a first-rate plan. How would you like to gowith Lisette to the Chateau of Chantilly for a day's outing? You couldgo on one of those 'personally conducted tours, ' in a big motor van, with lots of other tourists. "

"I think it will be lots of fun, " cried Elise; "I've always wanted toclimb up on one of those moving mountains and go wabbling away. "

"I, too, " said Patty; "just for once I think that sort of thing would begreat fun. "

"Then you must hustle to get ready, " said Mr. Farrington, "for thecavalcade sets off at ten o'clock, and I don't believe they'd wait, evenfor two nice little girls like you. So run along and get your bonnets, and be sure not to forget to remember to feed the carp. "

"What is a carp?" asked Patty, as she and Elise ran away to dress. 

"Fish, I think, " said Elise, "but we'll probably find out when we getthere. "

The girls were soon ready, and with Lisette they walked out in thebright sunshine and along the Rue de la Paix until they came to thecorner where the personally conducted tourists were to start from. 

Mr. Farrington had telephoned for tickets, so all they had to do was toclamber into their seats. This was done by mounting a stepladder placedat the side of the big vehicle. The seats of the van were graduated inheight, so that the back ones were as good as the front, and, indeed, afull view of what was passing could be commanded from any position. 

They had to wait until the tourists had all arrived, and then theystarted off at a good speed toward the country. 

"I feel as if I were riding in one of the old royal state carriages, "said Patty, "although there isn't the slightest resemblance in thevehicle, or the means of locomotion. "

"No, " said Elise, laughing; "nor in the people. I don't believe thesetourists bear much resemblance to the ladies and gentlemen who rode inthe Royal carriages. But I think it's more fun than our own car, becausewe sit up so high and can see everything so well. "

"And hear, too, " said Patty, as they listened to the man in the frontseat, who had turned around and was announcing through a megaphone thenames of the places as they passed them. 

"He seems to know his lesson pretty well, " whispered Patty, "but hisFrench pronunciation is even worse than mine. "

"Your pronunciation isn't so bad, Patty, but you haven't any vocabularyto speak of. "

"To speak with, you mean. But never you mind, miss; as soon as yourrespected parents decide upon a house, and we get settled in it, I'mgoing to study French like anything, and French history, too. I used tohate these things, but times have changed since Patty came to Paris!"

"I'm glad you're so energetic, but I don't feel much like studying; I'drather drift around and have fun as we are doing. "

"We'll have time enough for both, and you want to take some paintinglessons, don't you?"

"Yes; but seeing all the pictures I've seen since I've been herediscourages me. I used to think I was quite an artist, but I see nowthat if I ever do anything really worth while, I'll have to begin allover again and go into a drudgery drawing class. "

"It won't be drudgery; you love it so, and you'll make rapid progress ifyou're as desperately in earnest as all that. Do you think your motherwill decide to take that house they're going to look at to-day?"

"Yes, I think so; her mind is pretty well made up already. It must be alovely house, judging from what she says about it. "

It was not very far to Chantilly, and when they reached there the girlswere almost sorry that the pleasant ride was ended. 

The megaphone gentleman informed his personally conducted crowd thatthey were to alight and eat luncheon before proceeding to the Chateau. 

The hotel where they were to lunch was a quaint, old-fashioned house, built around three sides of a garden. It was called the Hotel du Grand-Conde, and Patty said, "I suppose we shall see and hear of nothing butthe Condes for the rest of the day. I believe the whole interest ofChantilly centres in that Conde crowd. "

"You seem to know a lot about it, " said Elise banteringly. 

"I've been reading up, " confessed Patty, "and besides, La GrandeMademoiselle has always been one of my favourite characters in Frenchhistory. She was a wonderful woman, and though not of the Condes, she ismixed up in their history. "

"She is an unknown quantity to me, " said Elise, "but I'm willing tolearn, so tell me all you know, Patty; it won't take long. "

"You'll get no instruction from me after that unflattering speech, "retorted Patty, and then luncheon was announced, and the girls sat downat the table reserved for them. 

They were much interested in their fellow-tourists, and as most of themwere socially inclined, Patty and Elise were included in the generalconversation. As the tourists seemed to have a great deal of generalinformation, and as they were quite ready to impart it, the girls pickedup quite a store of knowledge, more or less accurate. 

Then they left the hotel, with its quaint old gateway and carefully keptgravel walks, and proceeded on their way to the Chateau. 

It was necessary at the entrance to cross a bridge over the moat, andhere Patty discovered the reason for feeding the carp. 

To begin with, the carp themselves were exceedingly old, and had beenswimming around in the same moat for hundreds of years. 

"I'm not quite sure of the number of years, " volunteered a Bostontourist, to any one who might listen, "but it's either hundreds orthousands. Anyway, the carp are dreadfully old. "

"They don't look it, " declared Patty, as she leaned over the railing ofthe bridge and watched the frisky fish darting around like mad. 

An old woman sat nearby with a bushel basket full of French rolls, whichshe was willing to sell to the tourists at prices which increased as herstock of rolls decreased. Patty and Elise bought a quantity of the rollsand began the fun of throwing them to the fishes. It turned out to beeven more fun than they had anticipated, for the moment a roll reachedthe water, scores of carp would make a mad dash for it, and a pitchedbattle ensued for possession of the bread. Sometimes the roll was tornto pieces in the fight, and sometimes a fortunate carp would secure itand swim away, followed by all the others in angry pursuit. Another rollflung in would, of course, divert their attention, and the squabblewould begin all over again. The fun was largely in watching theindividual peculiarities of the fishes. One sulky old thing disdained tofight, but if given a roll all to himself he would swim away with it, and sticking his head in a small corner of the stone parapet, would eatit greedily, while he kept off the other fishes by madly lashing histail. Another brisk little fish didn't seem to care to eat the rolls atall, but mischievously tried to prevent the others from eating them, andplayed a general game of interference. 

The actions of the fish were so ridiculous, and the sport so novel andexciting, that the girls would not leave until they had bought up allthe rolls the old woman had and thrown them down to the comical carp. 

The personal conductor of the tour affably waited until the moatperformance was over, and then conducted his party inside the park tothe Chateau. 

Though only a toy affair compared with Versailles, Chantilly is one ofthe most beautiful of the historic Chateaus of France, and is in manyrespects a gem. The great paved Court of Honor shone white in thesunlight, and the noble statues and sculptures bore witness to the artand taste displayed in its construction. 

CHAPTER XIV

MAKING A HOME. 

The party was marshalled up on the peristyle, where they received, collectively, instructions in a loud voice to leave their sticks andumbrellas before entering the Chateau. 

Patty and Elise agreed that the beauty and dignity of the situation wassomewhat impaired by the personally conducted effect, but they thoughtthat was compensated for by the funny side of it all. The touristsfollowed the conductor like a flock of sheep, one or anotheroccasionally straying away for a time, and nearly all of them makingnotes in little note-books. Indeed, some of them were so intent on theirnotes that they merely gave glances at the beautiful things exhibited, and spent most of their time scribbling in their books and referring totheir Baedekers. 

The interior of the Chateau was delightful. As Patty had surmised, itwas largely devoted to pictures and relics of the Conde family. She wasgreatly pleased to discover a gallery of battles which, though notlarge, illustrated the battles of the great prince who was called theGrand Conde. Although Patty was of a peaceful enough nature, she had aspecial liking for the glory and grandeur of paintings of battle scenes, and she tarried in this gallery as long as she could. 

Both she and Elise adopted the Grand Conde as one of their favourites, and greatly admired the numerous portraits of him, with his handsomeface and generally gorgeous effects. 

In one of the halls of the Chateau post-cards were on sale, and Pattyeagerly looked them over to make the selection she wanted. 

But the Personal Conductor discovered that time was flying, and that ifhe let all of his charges delay over the post-cards, other sights mustbe omitted. 

So he scurried them along through the various galleries and salons, pausing in the Library and the Chapel. The Chapel awed Patty, as theimpressive burial places of kings always did, and especially was sheinterested in a Cippus, which was a receptacle for the hearts of severalof the princes of Conde. 

"It seems wonderful, " she said to Elise, "to take out their hearts andput them all away together like that, but they had strange ways in thetimes of my friends, the Condes. "

"I'm beginning to be very much interested in your friends, the Condes, "replied Elise, "and I think, after all, I shall join your French historyclass this winter. "

Then they proceeded to the beautiful park of Chantilly, which was laidout by the same landscape gardener who afterward designed the gardens ofVersailles. 

The park was enchanting, and the many buildings in it most interesting. 

"There's one thing certain, " said Patty, "I shall come here some day andcamp out for the day in this park and wander around without beingpersonally conducted. "

"And I shall do myself the honour to accompany you, " said Elise; "I'msure I can persuade father to send us out here in the car some day andlet us play around by ourselves. "

All too soon the megaphone's voice called them to start on theirhomeward trip. Patty and Elise were among the first to take their seatsin the great motor car, and as Patty was looking over her beloved post-cards, she suddenly discovered that she had no portrait of her friend, the Grand Prince. 

But by good luck she saw a woman standing near, and suspended by a strapround her neck was a tray of post-cards. 

Calling the woman to her, Patty made known her desire for a picture ofthe Grand Conde. 

"Oui, oui, " exclaimed the woman as she offered various portraits ofother members of the Conde family. 

"Non, non, " cried Patty, shaking her head, vigorously, "le GrandPrince, -le Grand Conde!"

At length the woman discovered the proper card, and when Patty acceptedit, and paid her for it, she burst into voluble thanks and begged her tobuy more. 

Remembering Elise's album, Patty bought another copy of the same picturefor that, and then, thinking she would like to take one to Marian, sheasked for a third copy. 

This the woman did not have in stock, but anxious to please her prettyyoung patron, she flew over to another post-card vender, of which thereseemed to be several near by, and demanded the required card from her. But a search through her stock proved unavailing, and both women, chatting volubly in French, tried to procure one from a third post-cardseller. 

Patty and Elise became much amused at the excitement they had created, and suddenly to their surprise one of the tourists expressed her desirealso for a portrait of the Grand Conde. 

Patty surmised at once that she had no particular reason for desiring itsave an idea that if it was in such great demand it must be of a specialvalue. 

And then following the example of the first, several other tourists setup a clamour for the same picture, and the scene became one of greatexcitement. The post-card venders put their heads together, and stilljabbering rapidly, produced all sorts of portraits which theyendeavoured to foist upon the buyers as portraits of the Grand Prince. But the tourists were shrewd, and they knew what they wanted, thoughthey had no idea why they wanted it. 

The natural result of this situation was a rise in price of the desiredpicture. The original price of ten CENTIMES was doubled and thenquadrupled, and finally the tourists began to bid for the picture untilthe affair became an auction. 

Patty and Elise were convulsed with laughter at the absurdity of it all, and finally the motor man whizzed away, leaving the Frenchwomenchuckling over their marvelous sales, and carrying some excitedtourists, who wondered why they had paid so much for ordinary post-cards. 

Patty's recital of the affair at dinner that night greatly amused theFarringtons, and Mr. Farrington declared that the whole scene wastypical of human nature. 

"As you had cornered the market, Patty, " he said, "why didn't you sellyour Conde pictures at top prices, or else put them up at auction?"

"For the very good reason that I wanted them myself, " replied Patty, "and if I had sold them, perhaps I never could get any more. "

"Well, we, too, have achieved an important success to-day, " went on Mr. Farrington; "we have secured a foothold in this somewhat uncertain city, and we shall soon have a roof over our heads that we can call our own, for a time, at least. "

"Oh, you took the house, then, " exclaimed Elise; "how jolly! and whenare we going there to live?"

"As soon as it can be made habitable, " said Mrs. Farrington; "they callit a furnished house, but it is not at all my idea of furnishing. It'sabout as well appointed as a summer cottage might be at home. Thedrawing-room is all right, and the dining-room is fairly good, but thebedrooms must be almost entirely refurnished. Some day, my children, youshall go shopping with me to select things for your own rooms. "

This shopping expedition took place soon, and Patty, with her usualhappy enthusiasm, thought it was quite as much fun as any other mode ofentertainment. 

Mrs. Farrington and the two girls, driven by the chauffeur, went flyingaround in the automobile, stopping now at one beautiful shop, and now atanother, and buying lovely things. 

"It seems foolish, " said Mrs. Farrington, "to buy a lot of furniture fora rented house, but we must be comfortable through the winter, and thenthe prettiest of the things we'll take back to America with us. "

The girls were allowed to make their own selections, and Patty decidedthat her room should be green and white, while Elise chose pink. 

The girls had not yet seen the house, but Mrs. Farrington told them thattwo large rooms adjoining each other on the third floor were to be fortheir use, and though the principal articles of furniture were alreadyin them, they might choose some pretty appointments, such as writing-desks, work-tables or book-racks. 

Also, they selected some little French gilded chairs and queer-shapedottomans, Patty thinking the while how pretty these would look whentransported back to her New York home. 

After about a week more of hotel life the Farringtons moved to their ownhome. 

It was a good-sized house on the Bois de Boulogne, and stood in a smallbut well-laid out park or garden. 

There were stone porticos on which opened long, French windows, and thehigh ceilings and winding staircase with broad landings gave the housean attractive, though foreign air. 

Like all French houses, the decorations were elaborate, and mirrors wereeverywhere, and crystal chandeliers and painted panels abounded. 

It was all of great interest to Patty, who dearly loved home-making, andwho saw great possibilities for the unusual combination of Americancosiness in a Paris house. 

Mrs. Farrington was delighted when she discovered Patty's capabilitiesin domestic matters, and declared that she would not wish for a betterassistant. 

It was Patty's deft fingers that transformed stiff and formal rooms intoapartments of real comfort and homelikeness. It was very often Patty'staste that selected simple decorations or ornaments which toned down thegorgeousness of the original scheme. 

The two girls' own rooms were greatly successful. 

Patty had bought a number of pictures and statuettes and variousParisian ornaments, which she was delighted to arrange in a room of hervery own. She helped Elise with hers, too, for though Elise had goodtaste and a fine appreciation of the fitness of things, she had notPatty's capability of execution and facility of arrangement. 

As they sat for the first time around their own family dinner table, Mr. Farrington exclaimed, "Now this is what I call comfortable! It'sunpretentious, but it's way ahead of that gorgeously dressed-up hotel, which made one feel, though well taken care of, like a traveller and awayfarer. But I expect you were sorry to leave it, eh, Patty?"

"No I wasn't, " said Patty; "I liked it tremendously for a time, as itwas a novel experience for me; but I'm quite as pleased as you are, Mr. Farrington, to be in a home once more. "

"And the next thing to do, " said Mrs. Farrington, "is to get masters foryou girls. "

"Shall we go to school, mother?" asked Elise. 

"No, I think not. I don't like the idea of your going to a Frenchschool, and, too, I think you'd enjoy it better, to study a little athome. You needn't have a great variety of lessons. I think if you studythe French language and French history, it will be enough for you in theway of school books. Then Patty ought to take singing lessons, and ifElise wants to learn to paint pictures, she will probably never get abetter opportunity to do so. "

This plan seemed to suit perfectly the young ladies most interested, andMr. Farrington said he would take it upon himself to find the rightmasters for them. 

So the family settled down into a life which was quiet compared with thefirst few weeks of their stay in Paris. 

The masters came every morning except Saturday, and that day was alwaysdevoted to sightseeing or pleasures of some sort. Occasionally, too, awhole holiday was taken during the week, for Mr. Farrington said he hada vivid recollection of a certain proverb which discussed the result ofall work and no play. 

Patty declared she was never afraid of any lack of play hours in theFarrington family, and she enjoyed alike both her morning tasks and herafternoon pleasures. 

Twice a week a professor came to give her singing lessons, and it wasarranged that at the same hour Elise should be busy with her drawingmaster. Though Elise did not show promise of becoming a really greatartist, her parents thought it wise to cultivate such talent as shepossessed, if only for the pleasure it might give to herself and herfriends. 

So Elise worked away at her drawing from casts, and occasionally paintedflowers in water colours, while Patty practised her scales, and learnedto sing some pretty little French ballads. 

Though neither of the girls was possessed of genius, they both hadtalent, and by application to study they found themselves rapidlyimproving in their arts. 

As Patty had expected, she developed an intense interest in Frenchhistory, and as Elise shared this taste, they learned their lessonswell, and also read books of history outside of school hours quite fromchoice. 

[Illustration with caption: "They also read books of history outside ofschool hours quite from choice"]

There were a great many Americans residing in Paris, and it was not longbefore Mr. And Mrs. Farrington renewed old acquaintances there, and alsomade new ones among the American colony. 

This meant pleasant associates for the girls, and they soon becameacquainted with several American families. 

Indeed, the house next to their own, was occupied by an American familynamed Barstow, with whom the Farringtons soon made friends. 

The young people of the family were Rosamond, a girl of seventeen, andher brother Martin, a few years older. 

The first time they met, Elise and Patty took a decided liking to theBarstows, and Rosamond often spent the afternoon with them, while theychatted gaily over their work, or went driving with them along thebeautiful Bois, or visited the galleries with them. 

CHAPTER XV

ST. GERMAIN

The weeks went happily by. Patty became quite accustomed to French waysand customs, and was becoming proficient in the language. 

One of her greatest treats was the Opera. Mr. Farrington had engaged abox for the season, and the girls attended nearly every matineeperformance. The first few times Patty could scarcely listen to themusic for her admiration of the wonderful building, but after she becamemore accustomed to its glories, it did not so distract her attentionfrom the stage. Mr. And Mrs. Farrington occasionally gave opera parties, and dinner parties, too, but the girls were not allowed to attend these. Although indulgent in many ways, Mrs. Farrington was somewhat strictabout the conventions for her young people; but so gently were her ruleslaid down, that they never seemed harsh or stern. 

On nights when dinner parties were given, the girls had their dinner inthe family breakfast-room, and often were allowed to invite Rosamond, and sometimes Martin to their feasts. 

Another delight to Patty was the fact that she was learning to drive amotor-car. It had always fascinated her, and she had always felt thatshe could do it if she only knew how. Once when she timidly expressedthis wish to Mr. Farrington, he replied, "Why certainly, child, I'll beglad to teach you, and some day, who knows, you may have a car of yourown. "

So whenever opportunity allowed Mr. Farrington gave her lessons in theart, and often Patty would sit in front with the chauffeur and he wouldteach her many things about the mechanism, until she became really quiteaccomplished as a driver. 

Of course, she was never allowed to run the car alone, nor did she wishto, but it was great fun to handle the wheel herself and feel the carobey her lightest touch. Sometimes she would grow elated at her successand put on the high speed, but always under the supervision andprotecting guidance of Mr. Farrington or the affable and amiablechauffeur. 

It was a great surprise to Patty when she learned that Christmas was notmade so much of in Paris as with us, but that the great fete-day was NewYear's Day, or, as they called it, JOUR DE L'AN. 

But Patty was not baffled by French customs entirely, and decreed thatthe Farrington household should hold a Christmas celebration all bythemselves. This they did, and the day to them was a pleasant oneindeed. 

But this was a minor episode compared to the fact that old Ma'amselleLabesse sent them all an urgent invitation to come to her at St. Germainto spend New Year's Day. 

The girls were rejoiced at this invitation, but feared they could notaccept it, as Mr. And Mrs. Farrington had an engagement in Paris for thefestival. 

But after much discussion of the matter, and much pleading on the partof the young people, it was arranged that Patty and Elise should go twodays before the New Year Day and spend a whole week with the oldMa'amselle in her chateau. A little tactful managing on Patty's partsecured an invitation also for Rosamond Barstow, and the three girls, who had become almost inseparable, started off together in great glee. 

Mr. Farrington sent them out in the motor-car, in care of his chauffeur, and Patty, to her great delight and satisfaction, drove the car all theway there. 

St. Germain is a beautiful town, which dates back about eight centuries, when it was a favourite summer residence of French royalty. The forestis among the most beautiful of all French woods, and as Patty drovethrough the roads of the deep forest it seemed like enchanted ground. They spun along the Terrasse, enjoying the view below, and after passingmany beautiful villas and residences came to the old chateau ofMa'amselle Labesse. 

After passing a porter's lodge at the entrance, they went on for a longdistance through the park before reaching the house Then alighting atthe main portal, the doors were thrown open by footmen, and the girlswere ushered in. 

Ma'amselle herself received them in the entrance hall. She looked quitedifferent from the way she had appeared on board the steamer, as she wasnow attired in very elegant and formal robes, with her white hairarranged after the fashion of Madame de Pompadour. 

She cordially welcomed the three young girls, making emphatic assertionsat her delight in seeing them, but her warmest welcome was bestowed uponPatty. 

"But it is herself!" she cried; "of a certainty, it is ma petite Patty. Ciel! but it is that I am glad to see you!"

Patty returned the greetings with polite warmth, and indeed she wasreally fond of the quaint old lady. 

The girls were all amazed at the grandeur and beauty of Ma'amselle'shome, and were unable to repress their admiration; but Ma'amselle waspleased rather than otherwise that they should express their pleasure. 

"But surely, " she said, "it is indeed the beautiful home. This hall! Itis not of a smallness! And in the old days it welcomed royal guests. "

The hall was indeed magnificent. It was decorated with frescoes andmural paintings by well-known French artists. It contained statues andpaintings and clocks and vases that might have graced a museum. Thearmour of knights stood about, and valuable trophies graced thewainscoted walls. 

A wide carved staircase wound spirally up from one end; and atMa'amselle's suggestion, the girls were ushered at once to their room. French maids were sent to them to unlock their boxes and assist withtheir toilettes, and Patty was glad that she now knew enough French atleast to make herself understood. 

Rosamond Barstow was a girl who never hesitated to get what she wantedif possible, and now it suited her purpose to dismiss the French maids;in her voluble if somewhat imperfect French, she told them that theyoung ladies wished to be alone for a time and would ring for the maidslater. 

"I just HAD to talk to you girls alone for a minute, " she exclaimed, "orI should have exploded. Did you EVER see such a gorgeous castle in thisworld? I didn't know your old Ma'amselle lived like this! How shall weever live up to it?"

"I didn't know she lived like this, either, " said Patty, laughing atRosamond's expressions; "and I don't care whether we can live up to itor not. We'll put on our best frocks and our best manners, and that'sall we can do. But, oh girls, I feel like a princess in this room!"

"Then just come and look at mine, " cried Elise, who was in the nextapartment. 

The girls had been given rooms near each other and which, with theiranterooms and dressing-rooms, filled up the whole of a large wing of thechateau. 

Patty's, as she expressed it to the other girls, looked more like a verylarge cretonne shirtwaist box than anything else. For the walls andceiling were covered with a chintz tapestry; the lambrequins, windowcurtains and door hangings were all of the same material and pattern, and the bed itself was draped and heavily curtained with the same. Thebed curtains and window curtains were fastened back with huge rosettesof the chintz, and Patty remarked that it must have been brought by theacre. 

The furniture was of the quaintest old French pattern, and so old-fashioned and unusual were the appointments all about, that Patty knewneither the names nor the use of many of them. 

"I'd rather sleep in a "cosy-corner" than in that bed, " remarkedRosamond; "I know that whole affair will tumble on your head in thenight. It's perfectly gorgeous to look at, but seems to me these oldthings are 'most too old. If I were Ma'amselle I'd root them all out andrefurnish. "

"You'd be sent home if Ma'amselle heard you talk like that, " admonishedPatty, "and I'm not a bit afraid of that tent arrangement tumbling down. It's most picturesque, and I shall lie in it, feeling like a retiredempress. "

"Come, Rosamond, " said Elise, "call back those comic opera maids yousent away, and let's get dressed. We mustn't keep Ma'amselle waiting, though I'd ever so much rather perch up here and talk by ourselves. Butshe's a dear old lady, and we must do our part as well as she doeshers. "

So Rosamond rang and the maids came back, wondering what strange youngdemoiselles they had to wait upon now. 

Patty allowed herself to be dressed by the deft-fingered maid, and beingready first, stepped out on the little balcony opening from her windowto wait for the others. 

A beautiful view met her eye. The lawn was terraced in many slopes, andthe flower-beds and shrubberies, though arranged with French precision, formed a beautiful landscape. There were fountains playing, and here andthere arbours and trellises and pleasant paths. 

But the girls called to her, and Patty joined them, and twining theirarms about each other's waists, they walked down the broad staircase. 

They were all in white, and their pretty frocks and dainty slippers madea modern note that contrasted strangely but pleasantly with the antiquerelics and ancient atmosphere of the chateau. 

When they reached the great hall, a footman ushered them into the granddrawing-room where they were to await Ma'amselle. 

She soon appeared, resplendent in her old-time grandeur, and going togreet her, the girls kissed her hand, an old custom which greatlypleased their hostess. 

"But it is of a joy to see you!" she exclaimed. "Me, I am so much alone. It is not good to be alone, and yet, it is my choice. I stay in the homeof my ancestors, therefore I stay alone. Voila!" she shrugged hershoulders, as if to emphasise the fact that it was more joy to livealone in the old chateau than to be anywhere else. 

"But I am not always alone, " she went on; "no, it is that my Henri, mynephew, comes to me at occasion. And he comes soon. Jour de l'an alwaysbrings him. He spends the day with me. He makes me a pleasure. And youshall see him, you young ladies. Ah, how he is beautiful!" The old ladyclasped her hands and turned her gaze upward, and the girls were fain tobelieve that her nephew was indeed a wonderful specimen of humanity. 

Then the dinner was announced, and leaning on the arm of an old footman, who was quite as dignified as she was herself, Ma'amselle led the way tothe dining-room. 

The table appointments, Patty thought, would have done justice to any ofthe most celebrated characters in French history, had they been there toenjoy them. 

Although not exactly embarrassed, the girls were a little bit awed atsplendour so unusual to them. To Rosamond it seemed distinctly humorousthat three such young American girls should be honoured guests in such aregal household; to Elise it seemed extremely interesting, and thenovelty and strangeness of it all impressed her more than the grandeur. 

But Patty, with her usual quick ability to accept a situation, seemed totake everything for granted, and made herself quite at home. Thewonderfully garbed footmen who stood behind their chairs like statues, except when they were wound up, nearly made Rosamond giggle; but toPatty, they were merely part of the performance, and once accepted assuch, of course, they belonged in the picture. 

This readiness to adapt herself to any circumstances was inherent inPatty's nature, and she sat there and conversed with her hostess ascharmingly and naturally as if at a plainer board. 

Rosamond was much impressed by what she chose to consider Patty's"nerve, " and determining not to be outdone, she exerted herself to bebright and entertaining, and as Elise was always more or less of achatterbox, the three girls provided much entertainment, and theirhostess was delighted with her congenial guests. 

After the rather lengthy dinner was at an end, the old Ma'amselle tookthe girls through various apartments, and showed them many of thetreasures of the Chateau. 

Then they went to the music room and Patty was persuaded to sing. 

She sang several songs, and then they all sang choruses together, insome of which the old Ma'amselle joined with her thin but still sweetvoice. 

"And now, " she said at last, "it is to tear the heart--but I must sendyou babies to bed. Me, I sleep so badly, but you young girls, of asurety, must have the tranquil rest. It is then 'Bon Soir, ' and in themorning you are to amuse yourselves. You have but to ring for yourchocolate, when you awake, and then pursue your own pleasures untilnoon, when I will meet you at dejeuner. "

After affectionate good-nights, the girls went to their rooms, and ahalf hour later, wrapped in kimonos and with their long braids hangingdown their backs, they were all perched on Patty's big bed--alone atlast. 

"But it is of a gorgeousness, " exclaimed Rosamond, mimicking, but notunkindly, the old Ma'amselle's imperfect English; "me, I never have somany feetmen at home! Is it that you do, Patty?"

"But I like it all, " exclaimed Patty, giggling at comical Rosamond, butstanding up for her own opinions; "of course I'm not envious a mite, andI don't know even as I'd care to live in this way all the time, but it'slovely for a few days, and I'm just going to pretend I'm La GrandeMademoiselle. "

"Do, " cried Elise, "and I'll be Empress Josephine. Who'll you be, Rosamond?"

"Oh, I'll be Queen Elizabeth, who has come to visit you. There's nothingFrench about me, so there's no use pretending, but I might be an EnglishQueen. "

"Well, Josephine and Elizabeth, you'd better run to bed now, " saidPatty, "for I'd like the exclusive occupancy of this upholstered tennis-court myself. "

Amazed to find that it was after midnight, the other girls ran laughingaway, and Patty climbed in behind the chintz curtains, almost persuadingherself that she was a royal Princess after all. 

Next morning the Queen and the Empress came bounding in, and shook LaGrande Mademoiselle till she awoke. 

"This bed is the biggest, " announced Queen Elizabeth, "and so we're allgoing to have our chocolate in here. "

"Well, I like the way you monopolise my apartments!" exclaimed Patty. 

"I'm glad you like it, " said Rosamond; "but we'd come just the same ifyou didn't. Now stop your giggling, while I ring the bell, and see whathappens. "

A dainty French waitress answered the summons, and smilingly asked fororders. 

Patty modestly asked for chocolate and rolls for them all, but theFrench maid volunteered the information that Ma'amselle was of theopinion that the young ladies would like an omelette, and perhaps a jarof marmalade. 

[Illustration with caption: "They were all perched on Patty's big bed--alone at last"]

"Heavenly!" exclaimed Rosamond, rolling her eyes in ecstacy, and thewaitress departed on her errand. 

"This is the jolliest picnic yet, " declared Elise, a little later as shesat, propped up by pillows, in a corner of the big chintz tent, anddevoured flaky hot rolls and apricot marmalade. 

The girls were each in a corner of the great bed, which left ample roomin the centre for the tray full of good things, and though perhaps anunusual place for a picnic, it was a most hilarious festivity. 

CHAPTER XVI

AN EXPECTED GUEST

The three girls spent a delightful morning exploring the old Chateau, and its park and garden. The clear air was brisk and keen, and a fewhours out of doors sent them back into the house with rosy cheeks andbright eyes. 

They discovered a delightful room that they had not seen before, whichwas built out from one of the wings, and whose walls and ceiling wereentirely of glass. 

"This is something like your room at home, Elise, " said Patty, as theyseated themselves there. 

"Not very much; my room is glass, to be sure, but it's square, and thiscircular apartment is quite a different matter. And did you ever seesuch exquisite furniture? I can quite believe myself an Empress when Isit gracefully on this gilded blue satin sofa. "

"I'm glad you think you're sitting gracefully, " said Rosamond, laughingat Elise, who, in her favourite position, had one foot tucked up underher. 

"I don't care, " said Elise. "Probably Josephine would have liked to siton her foot, only she didn't dare. "

"Her empire would have tottered if she had done such a thing as that, "observed Patty, "but as it tottered anyway, she might as well have satas she pleased. "

Ma'amselle joined the young people at luncheon time, and although shecalled it breakfast, the repast was quite as elaborate and formal in itsway as dinner had been. But the girls brought to it three healthy youngappetites, that did full justice to the exquisite viands set beforethem. 

At the table, Ma'amselle announced to the girls her plans for theirentertainment. 

It seemed that she expected her nephew that evening, to spend a fewdays, and as the next day would be the great festival of New Year's Day, she had planned a celebration of the event. 

So she proposed that except for a short automobile drive that afternoonthe girls should rest and keep themselves fresh for dinner-time, whenshe expected the arrival of her paragon of a nephew. 

From her description of the young man, the girls were led to think thathe must be a sort of fairy prince in disguise, --and not very muchdisguised, either. 

So in the afternoon the three girls and Ma'amselle went for a drive inone of the great touring cars, of which Ma'amselle had several. 

Patty begged to be allowed to sit in front with the chauffeur, andrather astonished that impassive factotum by asking to be allowed todrive. 

He was very much disinclined to grant her request, lest it shoulddisplease the old Ma'amselle, of whom all her servants stood greatly inawe; but when Patty appealed to her hostess, and received a not verywilling permission, the chauffeur allowed her to change seats with him, and really drive the car. 

He was greatly surprised at Patty's skill, and became more than everconvinced that Americans were a strange race. 

Their route lay past the railway station and along the beautiful terracewhich skirts the forest of St. Germain on one side, and commands such amarvellous view of the valley and the Seine. 

Returning home, the girls were left to their own devices until dinner-time, when they were adjured to array themselves appropriately to dohomage with the wonderful Henri. 

"Henri must be something out of the ordinary, " declared Elise, when thegirls were alone. 

"Probably not, " said Patty; "only Ma'amselle thinks him so. "

"At any rate I'm anxious to see him, " declared Elise, "for I don't knowany real live French boy except that Pauvret who was on the steamer, andhe was too lackadaisical for any use. "

"Well, I don't apprehend M'sieu Henri will be much better, " said Patty;"I don't care much about Frenchmen, anyway. What are you going to wear, girls?"

"I shall wear my red chifon, " said Rosamond; "it's most becoming to me;I'm a perfect dream in it, and I shall quite cut out you other girlswith our foreign prince. "

"Pooh!" said Elise; "he won't look at you when he sees me in my whitetulle. I'm the Frenchiest thing in that you ever saw!"

"Oh girls, " cried Patty, "I'm going to wear my light blue crepe dechine. And then we'll be red, white and blue! Won't that be a gracefulcompliment to the French colours, as well as to our own dear flag!"

"Long may it wave!" cried Rosamond, and then following Patty's lead, thegirls sang the "Star Spangled Banner" with true American heartiness andpatriotism. This they followed up with the "Marseillaise, " in which theywere interrupted by the appearance of one of the maids in a great stateof excitement. 

In breathless haste, which made her French difficult for them tounderstand, she explained that Ma'amselle had had a telegram of dreadfulimport, and would the young ladies attend upon her at once. 

The maid ushered the wondering girls to Ma'amselle's apartments andfound her in her dressing-room, in the hands of her maid, who wasassisting her in a hasty toilette. 

The tears were rolling down the old lady's cheeks, and she seemed to bein a state of trembling agitation. 

"Ah, mes enfants" she cried, "but it is news of the most dreadful! MonHenri, my well-beloved nephew, --his arm, --it is broken! Ah the sadnessfor the poor boy. Me, I fly to him at once, --but at once! You, but youwill excuse me, you will forgive, because of the dear boy! I go toParis, but I return, bringing my boy with me. "

It was rather a mixed-up explanation, but the girls finally gatheredthat Henri had had the misfortune to break his arm, and had sent for hisaunt to come to Paris and spend the New Year Day with him instead oftaking his intended trip to St. Germain. 

Henri had not known that his aunt had the young ladies visiting her, andso had no idea that he was disarranging her plans to such an extent. 

"He can come!" she exclaimed; "bah, it is not his legs; it is but hisarm. Of a certainty, one does not walk on one's arm! But the dear boy! Ishall go to him and explain all. Then we will return, and there shall befeasting and happiness. A broken arm is not so much, --it will mend, --butto him I must fly!"

Patty endeavoured to find out definitely the old lady's plan, but shecould only gather that there was no time to be lost, that Ma'amsellemust catch the seven o'clock train. 

To be sure of this, she must leave the house at half-past six. 

And so she started, in her swift touring car, accompanied by her maidand a groom, in addition to her capable and trusty chauffeur. 

Away they went, and the girls returned to the drawing-room to considerthe situation. 

"It was all over so quickly, " said Patty, "that I hardly know whetherI'm on my head or my heels. What a whirlwind Ma'amselle is!"

"Yes, she flew around like a hen with its head off, or whatever Frenchhens do, " said Rosamond; "if she whisks that broken-armed boy home asfast as she whisked herself off they'll be here in a minute. "

"She can't, " said the practical Elise. "If she takes that seven o'clocktrain, she won't get to Paris until nearly eight, and then, I don't knowwhere the interesting invalid lives, but anyway, to kidnap him and getback here again is a matter of several hours. I don't expect to see thembefore midnight. "

"What shall we do?" said Patty; "shall we have our dinner?"

"I don't believe we'll have any say in the matter, " volunteered Elise. "I think that waxwork butler, and the 'feetmen, ' as Rosamond calls them, will arrange our lives for us, and we'll be simply under orders. "

"What an exciting experience, " exclaimed Patty; "to think of us threeAmerican girls, alone except for the servants, in a gorgeous old FrenchChateau! I feel as if I must do something to live up to my privileges. "

"Suppose anything should happen that Ma'amselle never came back, "suggested Rosamond; "we could take possession of the place and live hereforever. "

"I don't think much of that plan, " declared Patty; "New York is goodenough for me, as a permanent residence. But I do want to do somethinkin keeping with the atmosphere of this place. If there's a dungeon keepon the premises, I think I'll throw you two girls into it, after havingfirst bound you in chains. "

"You mean a donjon keep, Patty, " said Elise; "you're so careless withyour mediaeval diction. "

A noise in the hall, as of an arrival, startled the girls, and risingimpulsively, they flew out to see what it was all about. 

To their astonishment, they found the footmen holding open the greatfront doors, while three stalwart young men entered. 

The middle one, who was partly supported by the other two, had his armin a sling, and as he was undoubtedly a Frenchman, the girls were sureat once that he was no other than the worshipful Henri. 

At sight of the three astonished girls the three young men lookedequally amazed, and whipping off their caps, they made profound bows tothe strangers. 

It was a comical situation, for doubtless Henri had expected to see hisaunt, and was instead confronted by three unmistakably American misses. 

Of the six, quick-witted Patty grasped the situation first. 

"You are Monsieur Henri Labesse, is it not so?" she said, advancingtoward the broken-armed one. 

In her haste and bewilderment, Patty spoke in English, forgetting thatthe young man might not understand her native tongue. 

But he answered in English quite as good as her own, though with adecided French accent, "Yes, Mademoiselle, I am Henri Labesse. I makeyou my homage, These are my two friends, Cecil Villere and PhilippeBaring. "

"We are glad to welcome you, " said Patty, in her pretty, frank way;"these are my friends, Mademoiselle Farrington and Mademoiselle Barstow. We are guests of your aunt. "

"Ah, my aunt!" said Henri, as the other boys acknowledged theintroductions, "where is she? Did she not get my telegram?"

"She did, indeed, " returned Patty, smiling, "and she went flying off toParis. "

"But my second telegram; I wired again, saying I would come here. "

"No, she did not get your second telegram, --only the first oneannouncing your accident. "

"And she has gone! oh how dreadful! but can we not stop her? Let us sendpost haste after her. "

"It's no use, " said Elise; "she has been gone about ten minutes, and inher fast car she is now more than half way to the station. "

"Did you boys come in an automobile?" asked Patty. 

"No, " replied Mr. Villere; "we came in a rickety old cab from thestation, and it has gone back. "

Patty's thoughts were flying rapidly. It seemed dreadful to let the oldMa'amselle go to Paris on a wild-goose chase, when if she could but bestopped, and brought back home, it would save the long and troublesomejourney and be a delight to them all. 

She not only thought quickly, but she determined to act quickly. 

"Can either of you boys drive an automobile?" she demanded of the twouninjured guests. 

With voluble lamentations the two confessed their inability in thatdirection. 

"Elise, " cried Patty, turning upon her a look, which Elise well knewdemanded implicit obedience, "you stay right here and play you're thehostess of this Chateau, and see that you do it properly. Rosamond, youcome with me!"

Without a further glance at the astonished young men, without a word tothe pompous butler who was hovering in the background, Patty graspedRosamond by the arm and pulled her away with her. 

CHAPTER XVII

A MOTOR RIDE

Bareheaded, and still dragging the astonished Rosamond, Patty rushedoutdoors, into the gathering dusk, and down toward the stables. 

Confronting an astonished groom, she asked him in forcible, if notentirely correct French, whether there was an assistant chauffeur, orany groom who could run a motor car. 

She was informed that there was not, that Ma'amselle's chauffeur himselfand the groom who had accompanied him were the only ones in theestablishment who knew anything about automobiles. If Mademoiselledesired a coach, now?

But Mademoiselle did not desire a coach, and, moreover, Mademoiselleseemed to know perfectly well what she did desire. 

Beckoning to the groom, who followed her, she went straight to thegarage where the automobiles were kept. There was a touring car there, almost the same as the one she had driven that afternoon, and Pattylooked at it uncertainly. 

There was also a small runabout, but that was of a different make, ofwhich she knew nothing. 

"Get in, " she said briefly to the groom, and she pointed to the tonneau. 

Accustomed to implicit obedience, the groom got in, hatless as he was, and folding his arms stiffly, sat up as straight as if it were a mostusual experience. 

"Hop up in front, Rosamond, " went on Patty, "and don't try to stop me, for I'm going to do exactly this; I'm going to the station and catchMa'amselle before she gets on that seven o'clock train. There isn't one-half second to spare; we can't even get our hats, and if we should stopto talk it over with anybody, there'd be no use in going at all. Nowhush up, Rosamond, don't say a word to me, I've all I can do to managethis thing!"

As Rosamond hadn't said a word, Patty need not have insisted on hersilence. But Patty was so excited that it made her quick of speech and alittle uncertain of temper. 

She started slowly out of the garage, trying to remember exactly theinstructions she had so often received about starting. They went safelyout into the park road, and along toward the porter's lodge. Patty'sheart beat fast as she wondered uncertainly whether the porter wouldopen the gate for her or not, but she carried off matters with a highhand, and ordered in the name of Ma'amselle Labesse that the gate beopened, and it was. Through it they went, and out on to the high road. Patty put on a higher speed, and they flew along like mad. 

"Now you can speak if you want to, Rosamond, " she said in a strained, tense voice; "or no, perhaps you'd better not, either. There's somethingthe matter! The engine thumps; but it's all right, I know what to do. Ifonly the road keeps smooth, --if we come to no ditches, --if we don'tburst a tire! speak to me, Rosamond, do for goodness' sake saysomething!"

"It's all right, Patty, " said Rosamond, in a quiet voice, for she knewthat the greatest danger that threatened Patty was her own over-excitement. "You're all right, Patty; keep on just as you are; becareful of this down grade, and you can easily take the next hill. "

"Good for you, Rosamond, " said Patty, with a really natural laugh;"you're a brick! My nerves ARE strained, but I won't think of that, I'llthink only of my car. Oh Rosamond, if only the road isn't bad in anyplace!"

"It isn't, Patty, the road is perfect. Steady, now, dear, there's amotor coming, but you can easily pass it. Don't you reverse orsomething?"

"Keep still, Rosamond, do keep still! I know what to do!"

Rosamond kept still. 

On they flew, the wind in their faces cutting like a cold blast; theirhair became loosened as it streamed back from their foreheads. 

It was the excitement of danger, and 'way down in their hearts bothgirls were enjoying it, though they did not realise it at the moment. What the statuesque groom who sat up behind felt, nobody will ever know. He kept his head up straight, and his arms folded, and his face showed abrave do-or-die expression, though there was nobody to notice it. 

"Oh, Rosamond, " Patty went on, still in that breathless, gasping voice, "if I only knew what time it was. There's no use whizzing at this break-neck speed if we're not going to make the train after all! If I thoughtit would be of any use I'd coast down this hill, but why should we killourselves if we don't accomplish our object?"

"Patty, don't be a goose!" and again Rosamond's cool, common-sense tonesacted as a dash of cold water on Patty's overstrung nerves. "I'll tellyou what time it is. You keep right on with your knitting, and I can getout my watch as easily as anything, and the next time we pass a lightI'll inform you the hour. "

Reassured by Rosamond's sense and nonsense, Patty drove steadily on. 

"It's five minutes to seven, " announced Rosamond quietly, "but we canalready see the railroad lights in the distance, and besides, the trainis sure to be late. But, Patty, you can't go quite so fast as we getinto the town. You musn't! You'll be arrested!"

"They can't catch me, " cried Patty, as she flew on, "and do keep still, Rosamond, for goodness' sake keep still!"

Rosamond smiled to herself at Patty's command to her to keep still, forshe well knew it was merely a nervous exclamation and meant nothing. 

On they went, Patty sounding the horn when it was unnecessary, andfailing to sound it when it was needed, but this made no difference intheir speed. Fortunately they met very few vehicles of any sort, and hadthe good luck not to run over any dogs, but as they came in full view ofthe station, they saw the train also approaching from the otherdirection. 

Patty knew that she had just about time to cross the track, but no more. 

Instead of worrying her, this sudden last responsibility seemed tosteady her nerves, and she said quietly:

"It's all right, Rosamond. Don't speak, please, we've just time to crossthe track safely, --SAFELY. See, I'll open up the throttle, --just alittle more power, --and here we go, bounding over the track!"

They seemed to jump over the track, and with a round turn, Patty madethe corner, put on the brake and came to a full stop at the station justas the funny little French train wheezed in. 

But the girl could do no more; as the car came to a standstill Patty'shands dropped from the wheel, and she promptly fainted away. 

With no notion of losing the game at the last moment, Rosamond sprangfrom the car, calling to the groom to look out for Patty, and then ran, panting, to the train. 

She grasped the old Ma'amselle as she was about to step on the train, and forcibly pulled her away. 

Owing to the old lady's angry and excited exclamation at being thusdetained, she could not understand what Rosamond was trying to tell her. 

"Make her comprehend!" she cried to the maid, who was accompanying hermistress, "make her understand, quick! she must not go to Paris!Monsieur Henri is at the Chateau!"

But the French maid could understand no English, and in despair Rosamondturned to the group of people who had gathered about them. 

Her dignity suddenly returned, and her common sense with it. 

"Will somebody who can talk French, " she said, "explain to this ladythat she need not go to the house of her nephew with the broken arm, because he is already at the Chateau of his aunt. "

The moment she had uttered this sentence, its resemblance to theOllendorff exercises struck Rosamond as very funny, and she began togiggle. 

But the old Ma'amselle at last understood the state of the case, and, her face beaming with smiles, she turned away from the train and back tothe station. 

Patty had come to herself after her momentary unconsciousness, and wasall right once more, though physically tired from her excitingexertions. 

Ma'amselle's own chauffeur was overcome with amazement when he learnedwhat Patty had done, and took off his cap to her, with the air of oneoffering homage to a brave heroine. 

As for Ma'amselle, she petted Patty, and cried over her, and thankedher, and blessed her, to an extent that could not have been exceeded hadPatty saved her from the guillotine. 

Then Patty was packed into the back seat of the big car, with Ma'amselleon one side of her and Rosamond on the other. And with this preciousfreight the chauffeur started off, leaving the groom who had gone withthe first party to bring home the other car. 

Though there was not much talking done on the way home, Ma'amselle heldPatty's hand closely clasped in her own, and the girl felt well repaidby the old lady's unspoken gratitude for the trouble and danger she hadundergone. 

When they reached home, and Ma'amselle had warmly welcomed her nephew, there was great to-do over Patty's daring journey. 

"All's well that ends well, " said Elise, "but you'll catch it, PattyFairfield, when mother hears of your performance. If I had been inRosamond's place you would have had to drive that car out over my deadbody!"

"That's why I didn't take you, Elise, " said Patty, laughing; "I knewyou'd raise a terrible row about my going, while Rosamond obeyed myorders like a meek little lamb. "

"You should at least have let me accompany you, Mademoiselle Fairfield, "said Philippe Baring; "I cannot drive an automobile, I regret to say, but I might have been a protection for you. "

Patty didn't see any especial way in which Mr. Baring could haveprotected her, but she didn't say so, and only thanked him prettily forhis interest in her welfare. 

Henry Labesse was enthusiastic in his admiration and praise of Patty, and declared that American girls were wonders. 

Ma'amselle was so pleased to think she had been saved a useless trip toParis, and to think that she should be able now to spend the eveningwith her young guests, and above all, to think that her beloved nephewwas with her, that she hovered around like an excited butterfly from oneto another. 

Then she sent them all away to dress for dinner, which, though belated, was to be a merry feast. 

And, indeed, it proved so. 

Old Ma'amselle came down first, and stood in the grandest drawing-roomto receive her honoured guests. 

The three boys came next, in their immaculate evening dress, which Henrihad managed to get into in spite of his sling. 

Then came the girls, the three, as usual, walking side by side, withtheir arms about each other. They had carried out their plan of red, white and blue dresses, and made a pretty picture as they entered thedrawing-room, and bowed in unison to their hostess. 

The dinner was especially elaborate as to decorations, and confectionsthat would please the young people, and the chef had done his very bestto make his part of the occasion a worthy one. 

Henri Labesse proved to be an exceedingly jolly young man, quitebubbling over with gay spirits and witty sallies He did not hesitate tojoke with his aunt, who, notwithstanding her dignity, was never offendedat her nephew's bantering speeches. 

The other two boys, though a trifle more formal than Henri, and perhapsa little bit shy, after the manner of very young Frenchmen, were willingto do their share, and as our three American girls were in the highestof spirits, the feast was a gay one, indeed. 

Ma'amselle gazed around at her brood with such delight and satisfactionthat she almost forgot to eat. 

Over and over again she wanted it explained to her how Henri had brokenhis arm in his gymnasium class, how he had thought he would not be ableto go to St. Germain, and so had telegraphed his aunt to come to him, and how, later, the doctor had patched him up so that he could go, andhe had followed close upon the heels of a second telegram. 

The delayed message arrived while they were at dinner, and Henri twistedit up, and lighting it at a candle flame, burned it, saying it was a badspirit which had worked them ill, but which should trouble them no more. 

Then Ma'amselle wanted to hear again all about Patty's wonderful ride, the difficulties she had encountered, the nerve strain she hadexperienced, and the help and comfort Rosamond had been to her. 

"And, " concluded Patty as she wound up her recital, "I don't want anyone to tell Mrs. Farrington about it, because I want to tell hermyself. "

Elise smiled, for she well knew that Patty's wheedlesome ways wouldpersuade Mrs. Farrington to look leniently on the episode, although ithad, indeed, been a desperately dangerous piece of business. 

But Ma'amselle Labesse asserted that after she had said what she had tosay to Mrs. Farrington, she knew that Patty would not be reprimanded byher, but rather be deemed worthy of the Cross of the Legion of Honour. 

Patty smiled at them all, in reality caring little, even if she werereprimanded. She knew she had done a daring thing, but she had kept herhead, and had come through it safely, and having won, she felt it washer right to laugh. 

"Are all American girls so brave and fearless?" inquired Mr. Villere. 

"I think most of them are, " said Patty, "but you must understand I wasnot recklessly daring. I have had many lessons in motoring, and I'm afairly expert driver. Of course, everybody is liable to accidents, and Itook my chances on them, but not on my driving. "

"You took chances on losing your head, " remarked Rosamond. 

"So did Marie Antoinette, " returned Patty saucily, "but you see I faredbetter than she did. "

CHAPTER XVIII

A NEW YEAR FETE

The next morning was the day of the New Year. As usual, every one did ashe or she chose during the morning hours, but luncheon time brought themall together again. 

The three boys had been out of doors all the morning, and seemed glad toreturn again to the society of the American strangers. 

The girls had been happy enough by themselves, and though they liked theFrench boys well enough, had privately agreed that they were not half asnice as American boys. 

But half a dozen young people, if good-natured and enthusiastic, arebound to have a merry time together, and as the six grew betteracquainted their national differences wore away somewhat. 

Ma'amselle announced that the fete of the day would be an early eveningparty, followed by a supper. 

She had invited the neighbouring gentry, both young and old, as was hercustom on Jour de L'AN, and, as she explained, she was making it "moreof an elaborateness" this year by asking her guests to come in fancycostumes. 

This delighted the girls, for they all loved dressing up, but they hadno notion where their fancy costumes were to come from. 

But Ma'amselle replied, "It is arranged, " and during the afternoon sheled them to a large apartment which she called the Room of the Robes. 

Here she displayed to the enraptured girls costume after costume ofwonderful beauty and magnificence. 

The Labesse line had been a long one, and apparently its ladies hadnever worn out or given away any of their robes. Nor its men either, forthere were costumes of knights and courtiers, some of which would surelyfit the three young men at present under the Chateau roof. 

The girls were bewildered at the maze of costumes, and scarcely knewwhich to select. 

Finally Patty chose a bewitching Watteau affair, with a short quiltedpetticoat, and a looped overdress made of the daintiest flowered silkimaginable. The petticoat was of white satin, and the overdress ofpalest blue, with garlands of pink roses. The pointed bodice laced upover a dainty neckerchief, and it was further adorned with borders ofpearls. 

Rosamond pounced upon a scarlet and gold brocade, which she declared washer ideal of a perfect gown. 

Elise found a pink brocatelle, embroidered with silver, and after theyhad selected head-dresses, fans, and many accessories to their costumes, they scurried away to their own rooms to try them on. 

"Aren't we having the time of our life?" exclaimed Rosamond, as shepeacocked about, gazing over her shoulder at her long court train. 

"Yes, indeed, " said Patty, with a little sigh of content; "I adore thisdressing-up performance, and really, girls, those boys are quite humanunder their French polish. "

"They're not so bad, " said Elise, "if only they wouldn't bow so often, and so exactly like dancing masters. "

"Well, it's all fun, " said Patty, "and I'm going to get that awfullynice Francoise to do my hair. She can make it just like an old Frenchpicture. Would you powder it?"

"No, " said Elise, after a moment's consideration; "the powder shakes offall over everything and you can't make it really white, anyway; andbesides, Patty, your hair is too pretty a colour to disguise withpowder. "

"Thank you for the compliment, Elise, though a little belated; allright, then, I'll leave my tow-coloured tresses their natural shade, anddecorate them with strings of pearls and light blue ostrich tips. "

The pearls and feathers and the manipulations of Franchise's artisticfingers transformed Patty's head into the semblance of an old Frenchminiature, and even Patty herself cast an approving glance at the prettyreflection in the gilt-framed mirror. 

The girls were wild with enthusiasm over Patty's appearance, thoughtruth to tell, their own effects were scarcely less picturesque. 

But Patty's style lent itself peculiarly well to the Watteau dress, andher little feet with their dainty silk stockings and high-heeled paste-buckled slippers twinkled beneath the quilted petticoat with all thegrace of a real Watteau picture. 

When they were ready, they walked down stairs, single file, with greatpomp and dignity, to find awaiting them three polished young courtiers, who might have belonged to the Court of Versailles. 

Ma'amselle herself was scarcely disguised, for in her ordinary costumeshe never strayed very far from the styles and materials of her belovedancestors. 

But she had on a royal robe, with a great jewelled collar, and stringsof gems depending from her throat. She wore a coronet that had belongedto some of the ladies of her family, and she seemed more than ever achatelaine of a bygone day. 

The rooms were decorated with flowers and plants, in honour of theoccasion, and hundreds of wax lights added to the brilliancy of thescene. 

An orchestra of stringed instruments played delightful music, and Pattytried to forget entirely that she lived in the twentieth century, andpretended that time had been turned back many, many years. 

The guests began to arrive, and though their costumes were of greatvariety, they were nearly all of French effects, and quite in harmonywith the scene. Patty did not seem to care much to converse, or even todance, but wandered around in a blissful state, enjoying the picturesquescene. 

"Probably I shall never see anything like this again, " she thought toherself, "and I just want to gaze at it until it is photographed on mymind forever. Oh, won't it be fun to tell Nan and papa about it!"

Just then she saw Henri Labesse approaching her. 

"I fear I shall be awkward, Mademoiselle, " he said, glancing at his armin a sling, "but if you would forgive, and dance with me just once?"

"Of course I will, " said Patty, her kind heart full of sympathy for thepoor fellow. "We can manage quite nicely, I'm sure. "

Henri put his good arm round Patty's waist, and lightly laying her handon his shoulder, they glided away. Like most Frenchmen, young Labessewas a perfect dancer, and as Patty was skilled in the art, they dancedbeautifully together and seemed to be in no way impeded by the youngman's broken arm. 

"What a dance!" exclaimed Patty, as the music stopped; "I never met anyone who dances as well as you do. If you dance like that with one arm, what would do with two ?"

"All the merit of my dancing was due to my partner, " said Henri, withone of his best bows, "you are like a fluff of thistledown, or a will o'the wisp. Forgive me, but I had imagined that American ladies dancedlike--like automobiles. "

Patty laughed. "If you hadn't already paid me such a pretty compliment, "she said, "I should be angry with you for that speech. But if you wishto know the truth of the matter, go and dance with Elise and Rosamond, and then come back and tell me what you think of American dancing. "

Henri went away obediently, leaving Patty to decide among the group ofpartners who were begging her for a dance. 

Later on Henri returned. "You are right, " he said gravely; "the Americandemoiselles are, indeed, divine dancers; but, may I say it? they are yetnot like you. Will you not give me one more turn, and then I must danceno more to-night; my aunt forbids it, on the absurd score that I'm aninvalid. "

Willingly, Patty danced again with the young man, and as this time itwas a fancy dance, the exquisite grace of the couple soon attracted theattention of the onlookers. One by one the other couples ceased dancing, until at last Patty and Henri were alone upon the waxed floor, while theothers looked admiringly on. Inspired by the moment, Patty indulged insome fancy steps, which were quickly understood and repeated by Henri, and depending on a whispered word now and then for direction, theyadvanced and retreated, bowed and chasseed in an elaborate and exquisiteminuet. 

Henri's disabled arm, so far from being an obstacle to his grace, seemedto lend a certain quaint dignity to his movements, and in his courtdress he looked like a wounded knight who had returned triumphant fromthe tourney, to dance with his fair lady. 

Great applause followed the final figure of their dance, and Henri ledpretty Patty, blushing with the honours heaped upon her, to his aunt. The old Ma'amselle kissed her dear little friend, and the tears in hereyes told Patty how much she had enjoyed the scene. 

Then came the feast, which was all gaiety and merriment, and finally, bygeneral acclamation, Patty was about to be crowned Queen of the NewYear. 

This, however, she would not allow, and taking the crown which wasoffered her, she went over and placed it on the white hair of herhostess, remarking that Ma'amselle was queen, and she herself the firstlady in waiting. 

The picture of pretty Patty as she stood by the side of the regal oldlady, who sat, crowned, in her own chair of state, was worthy of apainter, and many who saw it wished it might have been transferred tocanvas. 

The festival broke up early, for the old Ma'amselle would not allow latehours for her children, and as soon as the last guest was gone she sentthem scampering to bed, with strict injunctions for them not to reappearuntil noon the next day. 

The next day was ushered in by a dismal, pouring rain, and certainoutdoor pleasures which were planned for the afternoon had to be givenup. 

"But I'll tell you what we will do, " announced Patty as they gathered inthe great hall after luncheon, "we'll have an afternoon of American fun, and we'll show you French boys some tricks you never saw before. "

Having asked permission from Ma'amselle, who would not have refused herhad she asked to build a bonfire on the drawing-room carpet, Patty tookher friends to the kitchen. 

The fat old chef was amazed, but greatly pleased that the Americandemoiselles should honour his precincts, and he put himself, hisassistants and all his pantries at their service. 

"First, " said Patty, "we're going to have a candy pull. "

The French boys had no notion what a candy pull might be, but they weremore than willing to learn. 

A difficulty arose, however, when Patty undertook to explain to oldCesar, the CHEF, that she wanted molasses. She didn't know the Frenchword for molasses, and when she tried SIROP, Cesar affably flew aroundand brought her such a variety of SIROPS that she was overwhelmed. Norwere they of any use to her, for they were merely sweet essences ofvarious fruits, and nothing like good old New Orleans molasses. 

Cesar was desolate that he could not please Patty, and berated hisassistants down to the scullion for not knowing what the American younglady wanted. 

As soon as he could for laughter, Henri helped matters out by explainingthat what was desired was MELASSE. 

"Ah! OUI, OUI, OUI!" exclaimed the delighted Cesar, and he sent thekitchen boys flying for the right thing at last. 

Laughing herself at the absurdity of making molasses candy, with theassistance of half a dozen French cooks, Patty proceeded to measure outcupfuls of the treacle and pour it into a skillet. 

She was enchanted with the immaculate purity and spotlessness of theFrench kitchen, which even that of a New England housewife cannot rival. 

She had set the boys to cracking nuts and picking them out, and when thetime came, she added butter and a dash of vinegar to her boiling candy, watched with great interest by Cesar, whose French repertoire did notinclude any such strange mess as this. 

After the candy was poured out into the pans, and partly cooled, thepulling began. 

Patty never liked this part of the performance herself, and she franklysaid so, stating that if the others wanted to pull the taffy she wouldshow them how. Elise declined, but Rosamond pulled away briskly, usingonly the tips of her fingers, and with a practiced touch, until herportion of candy became of a beautiful cream colour and then almostwhite. After watching her a few moments, Cesar caught the trick, andtaking a large panful, pulled and tossed it about with such dexteritythat they all applauded. 

Henri, of course, could not join in the sport, but Philippe and Cecilundertook it bravely, though, meeting with difficulties, they soon gaveit up. 

"It Is a knack, " said Patty, "and though I can do it fairly well, I hateit because it's so messy. But Cesar is an artist at it, so suppose welet him do the rest. "

Cesar willingly consented to this plan, and the young people ran away, leaving him to finish the taffy. 

"Next, " said Patty, as after much washing of hands they had againassembled in the glass parlour, "I'm going to teach you to play beanbags. "

Elise and Rosamond set up a shout of laughter at this, and the boyslooked politely inquisitive. 

Calling a footman, Patty, who greatly enjoyed the joke of being waitedupon to such an absurd degree, asked him pleasantly to bring her somebeans. She chose her French carefully, designating what she wanted bythe term haricots. 

"Oui, Mademoiselle, " said the obsequious footman, hurrying away on hiserrand. He quickly returned, bearing a tin of French beans on a silvertray. 

Patty burst into laughter, and so did the rest of them, though onlyElise and Rosamond knew what the joke was about. 

"Non, Non!" exclaimed Patty, between her peals of laughter; "beans, beans! oh, wait a minute, I'll tell you, I'll tell you; stop, let methink!"

After a moment's hard thought, she triumphantly exclaimed, "Feve!"

"Oui, oui, oui, " exclaimed the footman, comprehendingly, and away hestalked once more. This time he returned with a large silver dish fullof coffee beans, neither roasted nor ground. 

These Patty accepted with many thanks. "I don't believe, " she said, "that they have real bean-bag beans in this benighted country, and thesewill answer the purpose just as well. "

Then again summoning her best French to her aid, she asked the footmanto procure for her some pieces of material--cloth or cotton--and sheindicated the size with her finger, also asking him to bring a work-basket. Then with an exhausted air she sat back in her chair and waited. 

"Patty, you do beat the Dutch!" said Elise; "you know he can't find suchthings. "

"Can't he?" said Patty complacently; "something tells me that that ablefootman will return with material for bean-bags. "

The boys were looking on with great amusement, though only halfunderstanding what it was all about. They understood English, and nearlyall of Patty's French, but BEAN-BAGS was an unknown word to them. 

True to Patty's prophecy the clever footman returned, still grave andimmovable of countenance, but bearing a well-filled work-basket, and aquantity of pieces of magnificent satin brocades which had been cut insix-inch squares--that being the size indicated by Patty. 

Patty took them with a gracious air of satisfaction, and rewarded thefootman with thanks in French and a smile in American. 

"Now, " she went on calmly, "I shall be pleased to have the assistance ofyou two ladies, as I fancy these young men are not any more accustomedto sewing than to pulling taffy. "

But to her surprise Cecil declared himself an expert needleman, andproved it by stitching up a bean-bag, under Patty's direction, in mostpraiseworthy fashion. 

Each of the girls made one, too, and when they were filled with thecoffee beans, and sewed up, Patty was again overcome by merriment at theregal appearance of their satin brocaded bean-bags. 

Then into the long hall they went, but alas! the girls could not bringthemselves to toss bean-bags in an apartment so filled with fragileobjects of value. 

In despair Patty again consulted her friend the footman. As soon as heunderstood her dilemma, he assured her he would arrange all; and in lessthan fifteen minutes he came back to her, almost smiling, and invitedthe party to follow him. 

They followed to the picture gallery, where the ingenious man hadcarefully placed a number of large, folding Japanese screens in front ofthe pictures to protect them from possible harm. 

Patty was delighted at this contrivance, and then followed such a gameof bean-bags as had probably never been seen before in all France. 

The only drawback was that Henri could not take part in this sport, butas Patty said wisely, "One cannot have everything in France; and, at anyrate, he can eat some of our American taffy, which must be cooled bythis time. "

CHAPTER XIX

CYCLAMEN PERFUME

It didn't seem possible they had been at the Chateau for a week when theday came to go home. "It was lovely at St. Germain, " said Elise, as theywere once again settled in Paris, "but I'm glad to be back in the city, aren't you, Patty?"

"Yes, I am, but I did have a lovely time at the Chateau. I think I likenew experiences, and the memory of them is like a lot of pictures that Ican look back to, and enjoy whenever I choose. I think my mind isgetting to be just like a postcard album, it's so filled with views offoreign places. "

"Mine is more like a kaleidoscope; it's all in a jumble, and I can'tseem to straighten it out. "

But after a day or two the girls settled down into a fairly steadyroutine of home life. They were both interested in their variouslessons, and though there was plenty of work, there was also plenty ofplay. 

They did not become acquainted with many French people, but the membersof the American Colony, as it was called, were socially inclined, andthey soon made many friends. 

Then there was much shopping to be done, and Mrs. Farrington seemedquite as interested in selecting pretty things for Patty as she did forher own daughter. 

The girls had especially pretty winter costumes of dark cloth, and eachhad a handsome and valuable set of furs. In these, with their Parishats, they looked so picturesque that Mrs. Farrington proposed theyshould have their photographs taken to send to friends at home. 

The taking of the photographs developed into quite a lengthyperformance; for Mrs. Farrington said, that while they were about it, they might as well have several styles. 

So it resulted in their taking a trunk full of their prettiest dressesand hats, and spending a whole morning in the photograph gallery. 

"It's really more satisfactory, " observed Patty, "to do these things bythe wholesale. Now I don't think I shall have to have photographs takenagain before I'm seventy, at least. "

"You ought to have them at fifty, " replied Elise; "you'll be such acharming middle-aged lady, Patty. A little prim, perhaps, but rathernice, after all. "

"Thanks for the flattering prospect. I prophesy that when you're fifty, you'll be a great artist, and you'll look exactly like Rosa Bonheur, andyou'll wear short grey hair and a linen duster. So you'd better haveplenty of photographs taken now, for I don't believe the linen dusterwill be very becoming. "

The photographs turned out to be extremely successful, both aslikenesses and as pictures. The girls sent many copies to their friendsin America, and Nan wrote back that she thought the girls ought to hurryhome, or they would become incorrigible Parisiennes. 

Both Elise and Patty thoroughly enjoyed the hours they spent in thegreat picture galleries. Although Elise had herself a talent forpainting, Patty had quite as great a love for pictures, and wasacquiring a true appreciation of their value. Sometimes Elise's teacherwould go with them, and sometimes Mr. Or Mrs. Farrington. But the girlsliked best to ramble alone together through the Louvre or theLuxembourg, and although the watchful Lisette walked grimly behind them, they followed their own sweet will, and often sat for a long time beforetheir favourite pictures or statues. 

"'The time has come, the Walrus said, '" said Patty one day, "when Ireally must hunt up those things for Marian. She made a list of aboutfifty things for me to take home to her, and though they're mostlytrifles, I expect some of them will not be very easy to find. Suppose westart out with that Cyclamen perfumery she wanted. It's a special make, by a special firm, but I suppose we can find it. "

So that afternoon the girls started on their Cyclamen hunt. Lisette wasto have accompanied them, but she was suffering from a headache, and, rather than disappoint the girls, Mrs. Farrington said that just forthis once they might go shopping alone in the motor-car with thechauffeur. 

In great glee the girls started off, and went first to several perfumersin search of Marian's order. 

But Cyclamen extract, made by Boissier Freres, was not to be found, although many other French Brothers signed their illustrious names toCyclamen extracts, and although the Boissier Freres themselves seemed tomanufacture an essence from every known blossom except Cyclamen. 

"It's no use, " said Patty, "to take any other kind, for Marian simplywon't have it, and she'll say that she should think I might have foundit for her. Let's go to the Magasins du Louvre, --they're sure in thatbig place to have every kind there is. "

Leaving the motor-car at one of the entrances to the great building, thegirls went in. After following devious directions and tortuous ways, they found the perfumery counter, and as they had now sufficient commandof the French language to make their wants accurately known, theyinquired for the precious Cyclamen. The affable salesman was at firstquite sure he could supply it, but an exhaustive search failed to bringforth the desired kind. 

Desolate at his inability to please the young ladies, he informed themthat nowhere could they find the object of their search, unless it mightbe at the establishment of the Boissier Freres themselves, which wasacross the Seine. 

"Why, yes, " cried Patty; "that's just what Marian said. She said I wouldhave to go across the Seine for it, and I didn't know what she meant. Let's go, Elise; when I start out to do a thing I do like to succeed. "

"So do I. We'll take the whole afternoon for it, if necessary, but getthat stuff we will. "

The obliging salesman wrote down the address for them, and, taking thepaper with polite thanks, the girls went away. 

But when they reached the street their motorcar was not to be seen. Invain they looked and waited, but could see nothing of the car or thechauffeur. They returned to the shop and stood just inside the door, where they watched and waited a long time. 

"Something must have happened, " Patty said at last, "and Jules has takenthe car away to get it fixed. But he ought to have let us know that hewas going. What shall we do, Elise?"

"I don't know what to do, Patty. I hate to waste this beautiful, brightafternoon, when we might be doing our shopping and having a good time. And I'm worried about Jules. The car seemed all right when we left it. "

"Yes; nothing ever happens to that big car. I think Jules has gone awayon purpose. Perhaps he'll never come back. "

"Oh, Patty, I don't know what to do, I'm sure. Let's telephone home. "

"We can try it; but I know the telephone will be out of order. It alwaysis. I never knew a Paris telephone that wasn't. "

Sure enough, when they tried to telephone, after much delay and manyunsuccessful attempts, they were informed that there was some difficultywith the wires and that connection with the Farrington house wasimpossible. 

The girls returned to their post at the glass-doored entrance and stoodlooking out with a discouraged air. Still no car appeared that theycould recognise as their own. 

At last Patty said: "There's no use, Elise, in standing here any longer. Jules has absconded, or been kidnapped, or something. Now, I'll tell youwhat we'll do. Let's take a cab over to this perfumery place and backagain, and then if Jules isn't here waiting for us we'll go right homein the same cab. I know your mother doesn't let us go in a cab alone, but this is an emergency, and we have to get home somehow; and whilewe're about it we may as well go over to the perfumery place. It isn'tvery far. "

"How do you know it isn't far?"

"Because I know a lot about Paris now, and I know the names of thestreets, and I know just about where it is, and of course the cabmanwill know. We can talk French to him and we can act very dignified, andanyway we'll be back here in fifteen or twenty minutes, so come on. "

Elise was a little doubtful about the matter, but she yielded to Patty'sargument and they went out in the street. Patty stopped a passing cab, and giving the driver the address, the girls got in. 

As they rolled smoothly along Patty's spirits rose. "You see, we didjust the right thing, " she said; "and we'll be back there now beforeJules is. "

On they went, across the Seine and into a strange district, unlike anythey had ever seen before. 

But it was not long before they came to the address written on thepaper. The girls went into the shop and found to their dismay that theperfumery company was there no longer, but had moved some time since toanother address. 

With great dignity, and fairly good French, Patty inquired the presentaddress of the firm, and, receiving it, returned to the cab. 

"I'm determined, " she said to Elise, "to go on with this thing, now thatI've begun it. I'm going to find that Cyclamen, just because I've madeup my mind to do so. "

The cabman seemed to know the address indicated, and started his horseoff at a jog trot. On they went, farther and farther, and getting into amore and more disagreeable district. The streets grew narrower, thehouses shabbier, and the people along the streets were noisy andboisterous. 

Patty did not like to admit it, but she began to wish she had not come, and Elise was plainly frightened, for the people along the street staredat the pretty American girls driving about alone in a public conveyance. 

At last Patty said in a low voice: "It's horrid, Elise, and I'm trulysorry I insisted on coming. Shall we ask the man to go back?"

"Yes, " said Elise; "that is, if you think best. But I hate to go anyfarther in this horrid quarter. "

So Patty explained to the driver that they had concluded not to go tothe perfumer's that day, and directed him to take them back to theMagasins du Louvre. 

But the cabman objected to this proposition, and said they were now notfar from the place they were in search of, and he would go on till theyreached it. 

Patty expostulated, but the cabman was firm in his decision. He was notimpertinent, but he seemed to think that the young ladies were tooeasily discouraged, and assured them they would soon reach theirdestination. So they went on, and Patty and Elise grew more and morealarmed as their situation became more unpleasant. It was certainly noplace for them to be, unattended, and the fact that they could notpersuade the cabman to go back dismayed them both. 

But Patty's pluck stood by her. Grasping Elise's hand firmly, shewhispered: "Don't you collapse, Elise! If you cry I'll never forgiveyou! Brace up now and help me through. It will be all right if we don'tact afraid. "

"How can I help acting afraid?" said poor Elise, her teeth chattering, "when I'm s-scared to death!"

"Don't be scared to death! I tell you there's nothing to be afraid of!Brace up, I say!" Patty gave Elise's arm such a pinch as to make herjump, and just then the cab stopped at the establishment of BoissierFreres. 

It proved to be the right place this time, and the girls went in. Behindthe counter stood a dapper young man, who waited on them obsequiously. But when he heard Patty's request he said they did not have that essencein their regular stock and only made it when ordered. 

"Then, " said Patty, at the end of her patience, "I'll order some. Willyou make it for me, please?"

"For that, " said the young man, "I must refer you to another department. You'll have to go to see M. Poirier, who takes such orders. "

"And where shall I find him?" asked Patty. 

The obliging young man began to write down an address. "It is somedistance away, " he said, "and not a very accessible place to get to. "

Patty looked at Elise and laughed. "I give it up, " she said; "I thoughtI could do Marian's errand, but it's proving too much for me!"

She thanked the young man for the address and put it away in her purse, with but slight intention of ever using it. She bought a bottle ofanother sort of perfumery, and, saying good afternoon, left the shop. 

But when she and Elise regained the sidewalk there was no cab in sight. They looked in every direction, but could see nothing of it. 

"He can't have gone away, " said Patty, "for I haven't paid him. "

"But he has gone away, " said Elise; "and oh, Patty, I just remember! Ileft my purse on the seat!"

"Was there much in it?"

"Yes, a good deal. I haven't done any shopping yet, you know. "

"Well, that explains it. He's gone off with your purse, for he knew thatvery likely we didn't have his number, and of course we can never findhim again. Elise, don't you dare to cry! We're in an awful scrape now, but we'll get out of it somehow if you'll only be plucky about it! Don'tyou fail me, and I'll get out of it somehow!"

Patty's admonitions were none too soon, for Elise was on the very vergeof bursting into tears. But when Patty appealed to her for aid she triedhard to overcome her fears and be a help instead of a hindrance. 

Patty considered the situation. "I hate to go back into that shop andask that young man to call me a cab, " she said, "for he was so fawningand officious that I didn't like his manner a bit. But there doesn'tseem to be anything else to do, for there's no policeman in sight, andof course no telephone station, and of course it wouldn't work if therewas one, and there's no other place about here that looks as if I darego in, and so we must go back and ask that horrid man. Now brace up, Elise; put on your most haughty air and look as dignified as a duchess. "

[Illustration with caption: "'I just remember! I left my purse on theseat!'"]

CHAPTER XX

THE BAZAAR

Elise tried hard to follow Patty's directions, but she did not representa very haughty type of duchess as she tremblingly followed Patty intothe shop. 

But Patty herself held her head high, and assumed the dignity of a wholeline of duchesses as she stalked toward the counter. She chose herFrench with much care, and in exceedingly formal diction informed theyoung man that she desired to call a cab. 

Without expressing astonishment at this, the young man politely assuredher that he would call a cab for her at once; that it would take sometime to procure one, as there were none save at a considerable distance. 

There being nothing else to do, poor Patty expressed herself as willingto wait, but coldly desired that all possible haste be made. 

The fifteen minutes that the girls waited was perhaps the mostuncomfortable quarter of an hour they had ever spent in their lives, andindeed it seemed more like fifteen hours than fifteen minutes. Theyscarcely spoke to one another; Patty, feeling the responsibility of thewhole affair, was thinking what she should do in case a cab didn't come, while Elise was entirely absorbed in her earnest endeavours not to cry. 

But at last a cab appeared and the two girls got in. 

Patty gave the order to drive back to the great shop from which they hadstarted on their adventure. 

It seemed an interminable distance through the unpleasant streets, butwhen at last they reached the Magasins du Louvre and drew up to theentrance Elise gave a delighted cry, and said: "Oh, there's our car, andJules in it!"

The car was across the street, and the chauffeur sat with his armsfolded, in an attitude of patient waiting. The girls got out of the cab, Patty paid the cabman, and as they beckoned to Jules, he started the caracross the street toward them. 

"Where have you been?" inquired Elise, in a reproving tone. 

But the chauffeur declared that he had sat the whole afternoon in thatone spot, waiting for the young ladies. 

When Elise said that they had come to the door and looked for him invain, he only asseverated that he had not moved from the spot oppositethe entrance, but had been there all the time watching the door fortheir reappearance. 

As she had never known Jules to be untruthful, Elise was bewildered atthis statement, but presently a light dawned on Patty. 

"I see, Elise, " she cried; "it's the other entrance! The doors arealmost exactly the same! This is the one where we went in, but we cameout at the door on the other street, and we were such idiots we didn'tknow the difference!"

"And we flattered ourselves that we knew Paris!" exclaimed Elise. "Well, Patty, let's go home. We're not fit to be trusted out alone. "

So home the girls went, feeling decidedly light-hearted that they wereso well out of their scrape. 

Patty went at once to Mrs. Farrington and gave her an exact narrative ofthe whole affair. She took all the blame on herself, and it wasrightfully hers, saying that she had persuaded Elise against her will togo in the cab across the Seine to the perfumer's. 

Mrs. Farrington laughed at Patty's extremely penitential air, and said:"My dear child, don't take it quite so seriously. You're not to blamefor mistaking the doors. That big shop is very confusing, and afterwaiting for Jules, and telephoning, and all that, you did quite right totake a cab, as it was really an emergency. But you did not do right togo exploring an unfamiliar quarter of Paris on an uncertain errand. However, you certainly had punishment enough in your bewilderment andanxiety, and I think you have learned your lesson, and nothing more needbe said about it. "

Nothing more was said about it by way of reprimand, but many times Pattywas joked by the Farrington family, and often when she started outanywhere was advised not to try to buy Cyclamen perfumery. 

Toward the end of January the Van Ness girls came to call. They hadreturned to Paris as they expected, and were truly glad to see Patty andElise again. 

"We've had a lovely trip, " Doris declared; "but we're awfully glad toget back to Paris. And oh, girls, I want to tell you about a plan inwhich we're awfully interested. There's a poor girl, an American, andher name is Leila Hunt. "

"Let me tell, " broke in Alicia; "she's an art student, and she's tryingto support herself in Paris while she studies. And the other day we werewalking through the Louvre, and we saw her there. "

"Copying a picture, " chimed in Doris. 

"Yes, copying a picture, " went on Alicia; "and she was so faint, becauseshe doesn't have enough to eat, you know, that she fell off the stooland fainted away from sheer exhaustion. "

"How dreadful!" cried Patty; "can't we help her?"

"That's just it, " said Doris; "we want to help her, and we're getting upa bazaar for her benefit. But she mustn't know it, for she's awfullyproud, and wouldn't like it a bit. "

"You know her personally, then?" asked Elise. 

"Yes; we hunted up her address and went to see her, and the poor thingis so weak and thin, but awfully brave and plucky. And papa says he'llgive some money, and I thought perhaps Mr. Farrington would, too; andthen we thought it might help to have a bazaar and make some money thatway, and then we'll send it to her anonymously, for I don't believeshe'd take it any other way. "

Rosamond Barstow was present at this conversation, and she said: "Ithink it's a lovely plan, and I'll be glad to help. Where are you goingto hold the bazaar?"

"That's the trouble, " said Alicia; "we don't know any place that's justright. You see, we're at a hotel, and a bazaar in a hotel is so public. I suppose there isn't room in this house?"

"No, " said Elise; "there are plenty of rooms, but no one is big enoughfor an affair of that kind. "

"But we have one, " exclaimed Rosamond eagerly. "Our house has an immenseballroom. We almost never use it, but it would be just the place for abazaar. "

"Would your people like to have us use it?"

"Oh, yes; mother lets me do anything I like. And, anyway, she'll beawfully glad to help an American girl--you said an American girl, didn'tyou?"

"Yes, Miss Hunt is from New England. Oh, it will be lovely if we canhave the bazaar in your house, and all the American colony will come, and we'll make a lot of money. "

The plan was laid before Mrs. Farrington, who entirely approved of it, and then the five girls went over to Rosamond's to ask Mrs. Barstow'sconsent, and to look at the ballroom. 

Mrs. Barstow was greatly pleased with the idea and consented at oncethat the bazaar should be held in the ballroom, and she went with thegirls to look at the big apartment and to make plans. 

As the Van Ness party were only to remain in Paris a week, it wasnecessary that the affair should be arranged speedily and the planquickly carried out. 

Mrs. Van Ness, Mrs. Farrington, and Mrs. Barstow were to be patronesses, but the girls, the two Van Ness boys, and Martin Barstow were to do theactual work and make all arrangements. 

It was a somewhat original scheme of entertainment, and as Aliciadescribed it the rest all agreed that it would be great fun. 

It was to last only one afternoon, from three to six, and it was calledthe "Bazaar of Arts and Manufactures. "

The girls called upon many members of the American colony and asked themto donate material of any kind, such as silks, satins, ribbons, fancypaper, materials or fabrics of any sort. 

They responded generously, and also gave many articles to be sold at thebazaar, and promised to send contributions for the refreshment room. 

The boys declared that their part was the decoration of the ballroom, and they not only ornamented the room, but built various little boothsand arranged such counters and tables as were needed. 

When the day of the bazaar came nobody knew quite what the entertainmentwas to be, but were prepared for an original amusement of some kind. 

After a large crowd of people had assembled Guy Van Ness mounted aplatform and announced that there would now be held a contest of artsand manufactures. Everybody present, on the payment of a certain sum, would be allowed to compete, and prizes were offered to the successfulcompetitors in each department. 

Then, greatly to the amusement of the audience, he announced that thevarious achievements arranged for were such easily accomplished feats asthe trimming of hats, the painting of pictures, modelling in clay, making paper flowers, and various other arts and handicrafts, amongwhich each might select a preference. 

After every competitor had qualified, and was fully prepared to begin, agong would be sounded. Exactly at the end of a half hour another gongwould sound, when every one must cease at once, whether the work wasfinished or not. 

As soon as the guests thoroughly understood what they were to do greatinterest was displayed and competitors were rapidly entered for thedifferent contests. 

Those who were artists took their places at a table provided with watercolors, oil paints, pastels, and drawing materials. The clay modellerswere at another table, with ample provision for their art. 

Many ladies who declared they had no talents prepared to trim hats. Allsorts of material, such as velvet, lace, flowers, feathers, and ribbonswere provided, as well as the untrimmed shapes. 

In another booth ladies prepared to make Japanese kimonos or dressing-jackets, and in another booth were materials for paper flowers. 

There was a burnt-wood outfit and sets of woodcarvers' tools, and RobertVan Ness declared that he knew he could take the prize for whittling. 

Another booth held crepe paper for lampshades or other fancy work, andit was not long before every one had selected an occupation and wasprepared to begin work. 

Elise, of course, was going to draw a picture, and Patty concluded shewould trim a hat. 

As it neared the time, Patty threaded her needle and put on her thimble, but was not allowed to touch her material until the signal was given. 

Henri Labesse was at the bazaar, and though his arm was still a littlestiff, he entered the competition and was to model a figure of clay. 

The gong struck, and everybody flew madly at their work, anxious tocomplete it within the half hour. 

Elise, who was methodical, began her drawing as slowly and carefully asif she had the whole day for it, reasoning to herself that she wouldrather hurry the finishing than the beginning. 

Patty, on the other hand, dashed impatiently at her hat-trimming, pinning things on here and there, thinking she would sew them if she hadtime, and if not they could stay pinned. 

Both the Van Ness girls were making paper lamp-shades, and Rosamond wasalready well along on a picturesque Japanese kimono. She sewed up thebreadths like a wind-mill, and whipped on the bordering rapidly, butwith strong, firm stitches. 

She would easily have taken the prize in her department, but the girlshad agreed among themselves that they would accept no prizes, even ifthey won them. 

When the gong struck at the close of the half hour some of the work wasstill unfinished, but most of the articles were completed. And it wasindeed marvellous to see what could be done by people working at theirutmost speed. 

Elise's picture was charming, and Patty's hat was among the prettiest. Competent judges awarded the prizes, and then the articles, whetherfinished or unfinished, were sold at auction. And they brought largeprices, for many of them were well worth having; and, too, the buyerswere quite ready to give liberally in aid of the worthy charity. 

Henri Labesse had made a clay model of an American girl, which was a gemin its characteristic effect and its skilful workmanship. It was notquite finished, but of course was offered at auction along with theother things. 

There was lively bidding for the little figure, as everybody seemed torecognise its artistic value. But, after being bidden up to a highprice, it was finally sold to a young man who, it turned out, was merelyacting as an agent for Henri Labesse himself. He had instructed thisyoung man to buy the figure in at any price, with a result that a goodlysum went into the charitable treasury. 

After receiving his own work back again Mr. Labesse took it across towhere Patty sat, and begged her acceptance of it, adding that he wouldtake it home and complete it before sending it to her. 

Patty was delighted to have the little statuette as a souvenir of theoccasion, and also as a memento of Mr. Labesse, whom she thoroughlyliked. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent in serving ices and cakes and fruitto the patrons of the bazaar, and after it was all over the girls weredelighted to find that they had realised about twice as much money asthey had hoped for. 

Alicia Van Ness was ecstatic, and declared it would make Miss Huntindependent, and free of all financial worry during the rest of her termin the art school. And as it was to be sent to her without a hint as toits source, she could not refuse to accept it. 

"I do think it was lovely of those Van Ness girls, " said Patty, as theydiscussed the bazaar at dinner-time, "to do all that for a perfectstranger. "

"I do, too, " said Elise; "they're awfully good-hearted girls. When Ifirst met them I didn't like them much; they were so unconventional intheir manners. But travelling about has improved them, and theycertainly are generous and kind-hearted. "

"Yes, they are, " said Patty; "and I like them, anyway. I'm sorry theyare going away from Paris so soon. "

"Well, I'm glad we're not going away, " said Elise; "at any rate, notjust yet. How much longer do you suppose we shall stay here, mother?"

"I don't know, my child; but I'm getting about ready to go home. What doyou think, Patty?"

"Since you ask me, I must confess I should like to stay a while longer. But if you're going home, Mrs. Farrington, I feel pretty sure we shallall travel on the same boat. "

CHAPTER XXI

A SURPRISE

But nothing more was said about going home, and the weeks slipped byuntil it was March. 

Everything seemed to be winding itself up. Patty's music term wasfinished; Elise's drawing lessons were nearing their close for theseason, and Mrs. Farrington, though she said nothing about going home, somehow seemed to be quietly getting ready. 

Patty didn't exactly understand the attitude of her hostess. If she weregoing home soon, Patty wanted to know it; and one day she laughinglysaid so. 

"I suppose, " said Mrs. Farrington, looking at her quizzically, "it's notunnatural that you should want to know when you're going to see yournative land again; but truly, Patty, I cannot tell you. I'll promise youthis, though: to-morrow you'll know more about it than you do to-day. "

Patty was mystified at this, for Mrs. Farrington's tone was even moreenigmatical than her words. 

"And wait a minute, girls, " said Mrs. Farrington, as they were about togo to their rooms to dress for dinner; "put on your pretty new dressesto-night, will you?"

"Why, mother?" said Elise in astonishment; "those are company gowns, andthere's no company here!"

"No, there's no company here, but put them on, as I tell you. I want tosee how they look. "

"I don't see what's the matter with mother, " said Elise, as they wentupstairs; "she's been restless and fidgety all day. And now the idea oftelling us to put on those new frocks!"

"I just as lieve do it, " said Patty; "they're awfully pretty ones, and Iwant to see how they look myself. "

When the girls went downstairs they found Mrs. Farrington already in thedrawing-room. 

She herself wore a more elaborate toilette than usual, and there seemedto be an extra abundance of flowers and lights. 

"What is the matter?" said Elise. "There's something about theatmosphere of this house that betokens a party; but I don't see anyparty. Is there any party, mother?"

"I don't see any, my child, " said Mrs. Farrington, smiling. 

"Where's father?" asked Elise. 

"He's out, " said her mother; "we're waiting for dinner until he comes. "

Just then a ring was heard at the front door-bell. 

"There's your father now, " said Mrs. Farrington abruptly; "Patty, mydear, won't you run up to my bedroom and get me my vinaigrette?"

"Why, you have it on, Mrs. Farrington, " said Patty, in surprise; "it'shanging from your chatelaine. "

"Oh, yes, of course; so it is! But I mean my other one--my gold one. Oh, no; I don't want two vinaigrettes, do I? I mean, won't you run up andget me a handkerchief?"

"Why, mother!" exclaimed Elise, in surprise; "ring for Lisette, or atleast let me go. Don't send Patty. "

"No, I want Patty to go, " said Mrs. Farrington decidedly. "Please go, mychild, and get me a handkerchief from the drawer in my dressing-table. Get the one that is fourth from the top, in the second pile. "

"Certainly, " said Patty, and she ran upstairs, wondering what whimpossessed her hostess to send her guest, though ever so willing, on hererrand. 

Patty had some little difficulty in finding the right handkerchief, inspite of the explicit directions, and when she again reached thedrawingroom Mr. Farrington was there, and both he and his wife weresmiling broadly. Elise, too, seemed overcome with merriment, and Pattypaused in the doorway, saying: "What is the matter with you people?Please let me into the joke, too!"

"Do you want to know what is the matter?" asked Mrs. Farrington, as shetook the handkerchief from Patty's hand. "Well, go and look behind thosecurtains, and see what's in the alcove. "

"I suppose, " said Patty, as she deliberately walked the length of thelong drawing-room, "you've been buying the Venus of Milo, and it's justbeen sent home, and you've set it up here behind these curtains. Well, Ishall be pleased to admire it, I'm sure!"

She drew the crimson curtains apart, and right before her, instead of amarble statue, stood her father and Nan!

Then such an exciting time as there was!

Patty threw her arms around them both at once, and everybody waslaughing, and they all talked at the same time, and Patty understood atlast why they had been directed to put on their new dresses. 

"Can it be possible that this is my little girl!" exclaimed Mr. Fairfield, as he drew Patty down up on his knee, quite as he used towhen she was really a little girl. 

"Nonsense!" cried Nan; "you haven't changed a bit, Patty, except to growabout half an inch taller, and to be wearing a remarkably pretty dress. "

"And you people haven't changed a bit, either, " declared Patty; "and oh, I'm SO glad to see you!"

She flew back and forth from one of her parents to the other, pinchingthem, to make sure, as she said, that they were really there. 

"And now tell me all about it, " she said, looking at the others; "didyou all know they were coming?"

"No, " said Mrs. Farrington; "Mr. Farrington and I have known it for someweeks, but we didn't dare tell Elise, for she's such a chatterbox shenever could have kept the secret, and we wanted so much to surpriseyou. "

"Well, you HAVE surprised me, " said Patty; "and it's the loveliestsurprise I ever had. Oh, what fun it will be to take you benightedpeople around to see Paris. "

So Elise declared it was a party after all, and the dinner was a verymerry one, and the whole evening was spent in gay chatter about thewinter just past, and making plans for the summer to come. 

Patty didn't gather very definitely what these plans were, but she soonlearned that Mr. And Mrs. Fairfield had come to Paris really to get her, and then they were going on to London; and where else, Patty neitherknew nor cared. 

The Farringtons were to return soon to America, and so the whole changeof outlook was so sudden that Patty was bewildered. 

"You look as if you didn't quite know yet what has happened, " said Mr. Fairfield to Patty, as the whole party stood in the hall saying theirgood-nights. 

"I don't, papa, " said Patty; "but I'm very happy. I've had a delightfulwinter, and Mr. And Mrs. Farrington have been most beautifully kind, andElise is just the dearest chum in the world; but you know, papa, home iswhere the heart is, and my heart belongs just to you and Nan, and so nowI feel that I am home again at last. "

"And we're mighty glad to have you, little girl, again in our heart andhome. It was pretty lonesome without you all winter in New York. But nowwe're all three together again, and we'll help each other enjoy the goodtime that's coming. "

"It seems too good to be true, " said Patty, as she kissed her parentsgood-night, and ran away to all sorts of happy dreams.