!"
"Well, father, if you are tired I will cut my story short. Madame De
Royan received me with great kindness, complimented me on my embroidery,
asked me some questions about our misfortunes, and consoled and
encouraged me generously. 'Go, my child!' said she, as she gave me the
linen; 'work with a good will and be prudent: I will protect you. I have
a great deal of sewing to do,--enough for two months at least. But that
would not be enough; I mean to recommend you to all my friends, and I
mean to see that you are paid for your work in such a way that your
father and yourself shall be above want.' I took her hand and kissed it,
for I was touched by the delicacy with which she give me _work_ and not
_alms_! Madame De Royan understood me, and, laying her hand kindly on my
shoulder, 'Keep up your spirits, Lenora,' said she; 'the time will come
when you must take apprentices to help you, and so by degrees you will
become mistress of a shop.' Yes, father, that's what she said; I know
her words by heart."
With this she sprang to her father, embraced him, and added, with
considerable emotion,--
"What say you to it, father? Is it not good news? Who knows what may
come to pass? Apprentices,--a shop,--a store,--a servant: you will keep
the books and buy our goods, I will sit in the room and superintend the
workwomen! How sweet it is to be happy and to know that we owe all to
the work of our hands! Then, father, your promise will indeed be
fulfilled, and then you may pass your old days happily."
There was a look of such extreme serenity in Monsieur De Vlierbeck's
face, an expression of such vivid happiness was reflected from his
wrinkled cheeks, that it was evident he had allowed his daughter's story
to bewitch him into entire forgetfulness. But he soon found it out, and
shook his head mournfully at the enchantress:--
"Oh! Lenora, Lenora, you witch! how easily have you managed to seduce
me! I followed your words like a child, and I really believed in the
happiness you promised. But let us be serious. The shoemaker spoke to me
again about the rent, and asked me to pay it. We still owe him twenty
francs, do we not?"
"Yes, twenty francs for rent, and about twelve francs to the grocer:
that's all. When the shirts are done we will give my wages on account to
the shoemaker, and I know he will be satisfied. The grocer is willing to
give us longer credit. I received two francs and a half for my last
work. You see very well, f
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