Then, I think, the clever Sophie’s mind was illuminated, and the tutor’s little scheme was revealed to her clear eye; she embraced it with effusion.  “An admirable idea,” she said, “and the others, too, perhaps, would join us if you would not mind.  It would be one hour a day at least secure from ennui: I shall have great cause to thank you, if we can arrange it.  For these girls get so tired of doing nothing; my mind is always on the strain to think of an amusement.  Charlotte!  Come here, I want to ask you something.”

Charlotte Benson came, and with her came Henrietta.  I was sitting on the sofa between the parlor-doors, and could not help hearing the whole conversation, as they were standing immediately before me.

“Mr. Langenau proposes to us to read an hour a day with him in German.  What do you think about it?”

“Charming,” said Charlotte with enthusiasm.  “I cannot think of anything that would give me greater pleasure.  Henrietta and I have read in German together for two winters, and it will be enchanting to continue it with such a master as Mr. Langenau.”

Henrietta murmured her satisfaction, and then Charlotte rushed into plans for the course, leaving me in despair, supposing I had been forgotten.  What place I was to find in such advanced society I could not well imagine.

Mr. Langenau never turned his head in my direction, and talked with Miss Benson with so much earnestness about the books into which they were to plunge, that I could not convince myself that all this was undertaken solely that he might teach me German.  In a little while they seemed to have settled it all to their satisfaction, and he had turned to go away.  My heart was in my throat.  Mrs. Hollenbeck had not forgotten me.  She said something low to Mr. Langenau.

“Ah, true!” he said.  “But does she know anything of German?” Then turning to me he said, with one of his dazzling sudden glances, “Miss d’Estree, we are talking of making up a German class; do you understand the language?”

“No,” I said, meeting his eye for a moment, “I have only taken one lesson in my life,” and then blushed scarlet at my own audacity.

“Ah,” said he, as if quite sorry for the disappointment, “I wish you were advanced enough to join us.”

Then Charlotte Benson, quite ignoring the interruption, began to ask him about a book that she wanted very much to find.  Mr. Langenau had it in his room—­a most happy accident, and there was a great deal said about it.  I again was left in doubt of my fate.  Again Sophie interposed.  “We have forgotten Mary Leighton,” she said, gently.

“Does Miss Leighton know anything of German?”

“Not a thing,” said Henrietta.

“What does she know anything of, but flirting?” said Charlotte with asperity, glancing out into the grounds where Kilian was murmuring softest folly to her under her pongee parasol.

“Perhaps she’d like to learn,” suggested Sophie.  “She and Pauline might begin together; that is, if Mr. Langenau would not think it too much trouble to give them an occasional suggestion.  And you, Charlotte, I am sure, could help them a great deal.”