learn
to submit to my lot in time."

The quiet long-suffering mother placed a chair for Stella. "You have
a kind beautiful face, miss," she said; "and I am sure you will make
allowances for my poor girl. I remember the time when I was as quick to
feel as she is. May I ask how you came to hear of us?"

"I hope you will excuse me," Stella replied. "I am not at liberty to
answer that question."

The mother said nothing. The daughter asked sharply, "Why not?"

Stella addressed her answer to the mother. "I come from a person who
desires to be of service to you as an unknown friend," she said.

The wan face of the widow suddenly brightened. "Oh!" she exclaimed,
"has my brother heard of the General's death? and has he forgiven me my
marriage at last?"

"No, no!" Stella interposed; "I must not mislead you. The person whom I
represent is no relation of yours."

Even in spite of this positive assertion, the poor woman held
desperately to the hope that had been roused in her. "The name by which
you know me may mislead you," she suggested anxiously. "My late husband
assumed the name in his exile here. Perhaps, if I told you--"

The daughter stopped her there. "My dear mother, leave this to me." The
widow sighed resignedly, and resumed her work. "Madame Marillac will do
very well as a name," the girl continued, turning to Stella, "until we
know something more of each other. I suppose you are well acquainted
with the person whom you represent?"

"Certainly, or I should not be here."

"You know the person's family connections, in that case? and you can say
for certain whether they are French connections or not?"

"I can say for certain," Stella answered, "that they are English
connections. I represent a friend who feels kindly toward Madame
Marillac; nothing more."

"You see, mother, you were mistaken. Bear it as bravely, dear, as you
have borne other trials." Saying this very tenderly, she addressed
herself once more to Stella, without attempting to conceal the
accompanying change in her manner to coldness and distrust. "One of us
must speak plainly," she said. "Our few friends are nearly as poor as
we are, and they are all French. I tell you positively that we have no
English friends. How has this anonymous benefactor been informed of
our poverty? You are a stranger to us--_you_ cannot have given the
information?"

Stella's eyes were now open to the awkward position in which she had
placed herself. She met the diffi