"Yes—when I think of her."
"Try then not to think of her. Perhaps some day," added Madame Merle, "you＇ll have another mother."
"I don＇t think that＇s necessary," Pansy said, repeating her little soft conciliatory sigh. "I had more than thirty mothers at the convent."
Her father＇s step sounded again in the antechamber,and Madame Merle got up, releasing the child. Mr.Osmond came in and closed the door; then, without looking at Madame Merle, he pushed one or two chairs back into their places. His visitor waited a moment for him to speak, watching him as he moved about. Then at last she said: "I hoped you＇d have come to Rome. I thought it possible you＇d have wished yourself to fetch Pansy away."