“But Fifine wants it, Madame.”

“Fifine must want it, then, for I want you .”

And as Madame Beck did really want and was resolved to have me⁠—as she had long been dissatisfied with the English master, with his shortcomings in punctuality, and his careless method of tuition⁠—as, too, she did not lack resolution and practical activity, whether I lacked them or not⁠—she, without more ado, made me relinquish thimble and needle; my hand was taken into hers, and I was conducted downstairs. When we reached the carré , a large square hall between the dwelling-house and the pensionnat