her, Wilkins?"

"This is all. I know her well; for four years she has brought her work
to this spot, and sold it at this counter."

Guly's eye dropped upon that counter almost reverently.

"Where are her relatives, Wilkins?"

"North, I believe. Her father was a poor but talented man when he came
here, and his family, though highly estimable at the North, were also
poor. He met his wife in some of the high circles, to which his letters
admitted him, and they fell in love, and married, though in the face of
decided opposition from all her family. Her friends never noticed her
afterwards, though he rose, as I told you, to high station and standing;
so when he died there was no one to apply to."

"How did you learn all this, Wilkins?"

"She told it to me herself."

"But her Northern friends, they may have grown rich by this time."

"No. She told me her father's family consisted only of his parents and
one deformed brother. When he was making a fortune so rapidly here, I
believe he received a letter from this brother, stating that he was
coming on to try his fortune here, too. But Mr. Duverne, Blanche's
father, wrote back to discourage his intentions, for he seemed to think
it was too long a journey for one so helpless as he. They never heard
from the brother again; for, soon after, Mr. Duverne died, and the state
of his affairs became known, and all intercourse between the families
ceased."

"And they never knew whether he came here or not?"

"Oh, he of course never came, or they would have heard of him, you
know."

"Is Blanche French?"

"By the name, you see she is of French descent; and she speaks the
language like a native born _Francaise_; however, her mother was purely
American, and her father never spoke a word of French in all his life.
She has acquired it by mingling, no doubt, with the Creoles here."

"You speak it yourself, Mr. Wilkins?"

"Yes; and I acquired it in that way."

"You know where Blanche lives?"

"Yes."

"And visit her sometimes?"

"Occasionally."

"Can I accompany you there some evening, sir? I would like to know her
better."

"To be sure you may, Guly; especially, as you are henceforth to be
somewhat associated in the business line. As I have told you, Blanche is
a noble little girl; I respect her highly; very few know where she
lives, and I wouldn't take every one there. You understand?"

"Certainly. I shan't name her residence to any one."

"Very well, then; whenever