“Is it to some school you are guiding me?”

“Ah, Mees,” said he, rubbing his hands together and laughing, “it is some great secret.  Mons. Bristeed would surprise you.  Have a leetle patience, and all will be divulged.”

We walked rapidly for a space and then paused before a handsome building.

Entering the courtyard, we rang the silver bell.  A servant answered our summons and invited us in.  Seated in the drawing-room, I heard the buzz of many voices.

“Is it an academy?” I whispered to Monsieur Pilot, my conductor.  He smiled encouragingly.

“This is a young ladies’ seminary, Mees.”

Before I could question further, the room door opened, and a lady of tall, imposing figure entered.

Monsieur Pilot commenced a vehement conversation with her in French.  She responded in the same tongue.  The dialogue ended, he turned to me and said: 

“Mees Reef, permit me to introduce you to Madame Fontenelle.”

Madame smiled very graciously upon me, and then recommenced the gesticulation and babble of the two.  At length she appeared satisfied with the understanding at which they arrived.  I was growing uneasy at their prolonged volubility, when Monsieur Pilot pirouetted up to me, and said: 

“Mees Reef, I beg to congratulate you.  Madame consents to transfer this mansion into your hands, She accepts our recommendation and that of your own intelligent countenance.  Mons. Bristeed was not mistaken in the impression you would make.  I wish you joy in having become the proprietress of this splendid institution.”

“How,” I cried in astonishment; “I proprietor?  I do not understand.  Please explain.”

Madame looked blandly on; my remarks were evidently unintelligible to her.

“It is a very onerous and responsible position, Mademoiselle”—­shrugging her shoulders—­“I should not like to advise you.  Do you comprehend the extent of the undertaking?  I should not be willing to trust my pupils in timid hands.”

Her remarks stung me, and gave, I presume, the favorable turn to my destiny, for I felt the power to undertake a task which I would before have shrunk from.

“I will do my duty in all cases to the best of my ability, madame!” was my brief reply.

“Ah, you do not comprehend, Madame,” said Monsieur Pilot, coming briskly to the rescue.  “This is a surprise to Mees Reef.  My very good friend Monsieur Bristeed has not apprised the young lady of his bounty.  I have his commission to purchase for her this establishment, which he is aware you desire to dispose of, Madame.  His recommendation of the young lady is surely sufficient.”

“The whole establishment?” I asked, with an effort at composure.

“Yes,” replied Madame.  “I am obliged to start for the West Indies, and must dispose of all.  The present instructors are thoroughly competent for their various positions; they merely need a supervisor.  You appear young, but I presume experience has fitted you for the office.”