a close and critical eye, then laying them down, with
an encouraging smile, said:--

"These are more beautifully done than any we have yet had, Mademoiselle.
These, really, command the highest price."

"I am very glad, Monsieur," Blanche replied, quietly.

Wilkins drew a small reference-book from his pocket, and after glancing
over its pages a moment or two, he counted out a few pieces of gold from
a drawer at his side, and Guly saw that, under pretence of making
change, he added to the sum a little from his own purse.

"There, Mademoiselle, that is well earned."

"Here is more than I received last time, Monsieur; and you have had to
wait for the work. Are you sure this is right?"

"Quite right. As I before told you, it is better done than any you have
given us before. Take these articles, Guly, and put them in the box
marked 'French Embroidery.'"

Guly obeyed, and his fingers lingered on the fair work before him, with
an unconscious touch of admiration.

"You think you can bring your articles weekly, now, Mademoiselle?"

"I think so, Monsieur Wilkins. I have nothing to occupy my time now,
except a few little favors for poor grandpapa."

"Very well. Mr. G. has left, as you see. Henceforth Mr. Pratt will
receive your work, and pay you for the same, as he has charge of this
department. Let me make you acquainted. Guly, this is Blanche Duverne,"
said Wilkins, in his brief, peculiar manner.

Blanche held out her small hand, with an air of naive and innocent
frankness, and Guly took the rosy finger tips, as he bent across the
counter, and pressed them to his lips.

It was an act totally unexpected by Blanche, but it was done with such a
noble grace by the boy, and with an air of such delicate refinement,
while a glow of boyish bashfulness swept over his fine face, that the
most fastidious could not have found in it just cause for resentment,
much less the guileless and innocent child-woman before him.

As Guly released her hand she looked at him more attentively than she
had done before, and said, sweetly, in pure unaccented English--

"I hope we may be very good friends, Guly."

"Amen," said the boy, with a smile.

"And you will sell my work to your choice customers, won't you?"

"Invariably."

"Adieu."

"Adieu, Miss."

She flitted out of the door so like a spirit, that she was gone almost
before Guly was aware she had left her seat. He longed to go to the door
and look after her, but a sense of ti