officer, a cousin of her mother's. Too tired to go a step farther, she
fell asleep on a sofa in the darkened room. A little later she woke, and
heard the sounds of music and dancing downstairs, but felt no
inclination to join in the gaiety. Presently she dropped off again, and
when she roused for the second time she was aware of whispers near her
couch. In the first moment of awakening she felt ashamed of being caught
there by some of the guests. She held her breath and lay very still.
Then she recognized her mother's voice. After a few minutes she grasped
the truth.... Her mother, whom she worshipped, and this officer, whom
she admired in a childish way!

They lit the candles. She forced herself to lie motionless, and feigned
to be fast asleep. She heard her mother's exclamation of horror:
"Jeanne!" And the captain's words:

"Thank goodness she is sleeping like a log!"

Her mother rearranged her disordered hair, and they left the room.

After a few minutes she returned with a lamp, calling out:

"Jeanne, where are you, child? We have been searching all over the
house!"

Her pretended astonishment when she discovered the girl made the whole
scene more painful to Jeanne. But gathering up her self-control as best
she could, she succeeded in replying:

"I am so tired: let me have my sleep out."