“And Tulee and the baby?” asked Rosa.

“Yes, with Tulee and the baby,” replied Madame.  “But I shall send them to my cousin’s to-morrow, to be out of the way of being seen by the neighbors.  He lives off the road, and three miles out.  They’ll be nicely out of the way there.”

It was all accomplished as the energetic Frenchwoman had planned.  Rosa was whirled away, without time to think of anything.  At parting, she embraced Tulee, and looked earnestly in the baby’s face, while she stroked his shining black hair.  “Good by, dear, kind Tulee,” said she.  “Take good care of the little one.”

At Philadelphia, her strength broke down, and they were detained three days.  Consequently, when they arrived in New York, they found that the Mermaid, in which they expected to take passage, had sailed.  The Signor considered it imprudent to correspond with his wife on the subject, and concluded to go out of the city and wait for the next vessel.  When they went on board, they found Madame, and explained to her the circumstances.

“I am glad I didn’t know of the delay,” said she; “for I was frightened enough as it was.  But, luckily, I got off without anybody’s coming to make inquiries.”

“But where are Tulee and the baby?  Are they down below?” asked Rosa.

“No, dear, I didn’t bring them.”

“O, how came you to leave them?” said Rosa.  “Something will happen to them.”

“I have provided well for their safety,” rejoined Madame.  “The reason I did it was this.  We have no certain home or prospects at present; and I thought we had better be settled somewhere before the baby was brought.  My cousin is coming to Marseilles in about three months, and he will bring them with him.  His wife was glad to give Tulee her board, meanwhile, for what work she could do.  I really think it was best, dear.  The feeble little thing will be stronger for the voyage by that time; and you know Tulee will take just as good care of it as if it were her own.”

“Poor Tulee!” sighed Rosa.  “Was she willing to be left?”

“She didn’t know when I came away,” replied Madame.

Rosa heaved an audible groan, as she said:  “I am so sorry you did this, Madame!  If anything should happen to them, it would be a weight on my mind as long as I live.”

“I did what I thought was for the best,” answered Madame.  “I was in such a hurry to get away, on your account, that, if I hadn’t all my wits about me, I hope you will excuse me.  But I think myself I made the best arrangement.”

Rosa, perceiving a slight indication of pique in her tone, hastened to kiss her, and call her her best and dearest friend.  But in her heart she mourned over what she considered, for the first time in her life, a great mistake in the management of Madame.

* * * * *