"I am very happy to hear that. She has been very polite to me."
"Do you like her, then?" the Countess asked.
"She is charming—charming," said Pansy, in her little neat, conversational tone. "She pleases me exceedingly."
"And you think she pleases your father?"
"Ah, really, Countess," murmured Madame Merle, dissuasively. "Go and call them to tea," she went on, to the child.
"You will see if they don't like it!" Pansy declared; and went off to summon the others, who were still lingering at the end of the terrace.
"If Miss Archer is to become her mother it is surely interesting to know whether the child likes her," said the Countess.
"If your brother marries again it won't be for Pansy's sake," Madame Merle replied. "She will soon be sixteen, and after that she will begin to need a husband rather than a stepmother."
"And will you provide the husband as well?"
"I shall certainly take an interest in her marrying well. I imagine you will do the same."
"Indeed I shan't!" cried the Countess. "Why should I, of all women, set such a price on a husband?"
"You didn't marry well; that's what I am speaking of. When I say a husband, I mean a good one."
"There are no good ones. Osmond won't be a good one."
Madame Merle closed her eyes a moment. "You are irritated just now; I don't know why," she said, presently. "I don't think you will really object either to your brother, or to your niece's, marrying, when the time comes for them to do so; and as regards Pansy, I am confident that we shall some day have the pleasure of looking for a husband for her together. Your large acquaintance will be a great help."
"Yes, I am irritated," the Countess answered. "You often
