“I know,” said Elise, “but we’ve been so busy ever since we’ve been here that there hasn’t seemed to be time for anything.  But we’re glad to see you 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 have met, 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 particular together.”

CHAPTER XIII

CHANTILLY

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

But Patty only laughed at the anxious expression on the French girl’s face.  She knew well what was passing in her mind, and she said to her quietly:  “It’s all right, Lisette, they’re our American friends, and I assure 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 she was devoted to Patty, and waved her scruples in deference to Patty’s wishes, 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 Parisians themselves.

Leaving the shop, they continued down the Rue de Rivoli till they reached 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 all entered.

It was Patty’s first glimpse of the great picture gallery, and she began to wish she was not accompanied by the chattering crowd, that she might wander about wherever her fancy directed.  But she remembered she would have ample opportunity for this all winter, so she willingly gave up her own desire to please the Van Ness girls.

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

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

“I hope you’ll be here when we come back,” Guy Van Ness said to her, as they stood together, looking at some old miniatures.

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