voice indicated great stubbornness.

"Good, good, you have done your very duty, Madame," said Pere
Beret, with immense approval in his charming voice.

"But, Father, you said awhile ago that I should have my own way
about this," Alice spoke up with spirit; "and on the strength of
that remark of yours I gave you the pie and wine. You've eaten my
pie and swigged the wine, and now--"

Pere Beret put on his straw cap, adjusting it carefully over the
shining dome out of which had come so many thoughts of wisdom,
kindness and human sympathy. This done, he gently laid a hand on
Alice's bright crown of hair and said:

"Bless you, my child. I will pray to the Prince of Peace for you
as long as I live, and I will never cease to beg the Holy Virgin
to intercede for you and lead you to the Holy Church."

He turned and went away; but when he was no farther than the gate,
Alice called out:

"O Father Beret, I forgot to show you something!"

She ran forth to him and added in a low tone:

"You know that Madame Roussillon has hidden all the novels from
me."

She was fumbling to get something out of the loose front of her