Now we are going to see another
little piece of conjuring." The Minister walked quietly to both
doors of the room, locked them, and put the keys in his pocket. He
then placed a small silver bowl from the side-board in the centre
of the dinner-table, and continued: "I am now going to switch off
all the lights, and to count ten slowly. When I have reached ten,
I shall turn on the lights again, and hey presto! Madame de--'s
necklace will be found lying in that silver bowl!" The room became
plunged in darkness, and the Minister counted slowly up to ten.
The electric light blazed out again, there was no necklace, but
the silver bowl had vanished!
I have enjoyed the exceptional experience of having inspected many
convents in Canada, even those of the most strictly cloistered
Orders. By long-established custom, the Governor-General's wife
has the right to inspect any convent in Canada on giving twenty-
four hours' notice, and she may take with her any two persons she
chooses, of either sex. My sister was fond of visiting convents,
and she often took me with her as I could speak French.
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