"Ah, you go back to Rome? I've lately come from there. It's very lovely now," said Madame Merle.
The good sisters, standing with their hands folded into their sleeves, accepted this statement uncritically;and the master of the house asked his new visitor how long it was since she had left Rome. "She came to see me at the convent," said the young girl before the lady addressed had time to reply.
"I've been more than once, Pansy," Madame Merle declared. "Am I not your great friend in Rome?"
"I remember the last time best," said Pansy, "because you told me I should come away."