Now, Miss Ginevra Fanshawe (such was this young person’s name) only substituted this word “ chose ” in temporary oblivion of the real name. It was a habit she had: “ chose ” came in at every turn in her conversation⁠—the convenient substitute for any missing word in any language she might chance at the time to be speaking. French girls often do the like; from them she had caught the custom. “ Chose ,” however, I found in this instance, stood for Villette⁠—the great capital of the great kingdom of Labassecour.

“Do you like Villette?” I asked.

“Pretty well. The natives, you know, are intensely stupid and vulgar; but there are some nice English families.”

“Are you in a school?”