"Yes, it is so," She said, looking at the lady, with her dark eyes full
of childlike innocence. "I was born in the beautiful West Indies, on
the island of Jamaica."

"Have you been here long?"

"Oh yes, a very, very long time. I was sent here when only nine years
old, to be educated, my mother having died some time before; and my
father left Jamaica a year after I did, to go to the East Indies. I
have not seen him or heard from him once since then."

Carmen said all this in an undertone, and her voice trembled, as if
full of suppressed tears.

"Poor child! how sorry I am for you!" said the lady, affectionately,
taking Carmen's hand and pressing it tenderly. She felt such a deep
sympathy for the lonely girl that she quickly added: "Since you know so
well what it is to be separated from loved ones, will you not try to
interest yourself a little in Adele? She will perhaps find it
difficult at first to reconcile herself to this new life."

"Gladly, with all my heart, if your daughter will confide in me!"
replied Carmen with joy.

A stroke of the clock, which sounded loudly through the quiet house,
announced the hour of the midday meal. The girls rose at once from
their places, and Frau von Trautenau took leave of Sister Agatha,
taking her daughter with her.

After the departure of the guests, the girls left the room; and as