Her father happened to give an asylum in his office to a lonely
old man, to whom 'Sister Rose' and her brother had been greatly
indebted in the revolutionary time; and out of a train of
circumstances connected with that, the first acquaintance between
mademoiselle and the friend whose portrait she wears, arose.
After the time of her father's bankruptcy, and for many years
before we were placed under her charge, our good old governess
lived entirely with 'Sister Rose' and her brother. She must then
have heard all the interesting things that she has since often
repeated to my sisters and myself."
"Might I suggest," said I, after an instant's consideration,
"that the best way to give me a fair chance of studying
Mademoiselle Clairfait's face at the next sitting, would be to
lead her thoughts again to that quieting subject of the
miniature, and to the events which the portrait recalls? It is
really the only plan, after what I have observed this morning,
that I can think of for enabling me to do myself and my sitter
justice."
"I am delighted to hear you say so," replied the lady; "for the
execution of your plan, by me or by my sisters, will be the
easiest thing in the world. A word from us at any time will set
mademoiselle thinking, and talking too, of the friend of her
youthful days. Depend on our assistance so far. And now let me
show you the way to the luncheon-table.
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