CHAPTER V.

Such sudden reverses, such overwhelming sorrows, mature characters with wonderful rapidity.  Rosa, though formed by nature and habit to cling to others, soon began to form plans for future support.  Her inexperienced mind foresaw few of the difficulties involved in the career her friends had suggested.  She merely expected to study and work hard; but that seemed a trifle, if she could avoid for herself and her sister the publicity which their father had so much dreaded.

Floracita, too, seemed like a tamed bird.  She was sprightly as ever in her motions, and quick in her gestures; but she would sit patiently at her task of embroidery, hour after hour, without even looking up to answer the noisy challenges of the parrot.  Sometimes the sisters, while they worked, sang together the hymns they had been accustomed to sing with their father on Sundays; and memory of the missing voice imparted to their tones a pathos that no mere skill could imitate.

One day, when they were thus occupied, the door-bell rang, and they heard a voice, which they thought they recognized, talking with Madame.  It was Franz Blumenthal.  “I have come to bring some small articles for the young ladies,” said he.  “A week before my best friend died, a Frenchwoman came to the store, and wished to sell some fancy-baskets.  She said she was a poor widow; and Mr. Royal, who was always kind and generous, commissioned her to make two of her handsomest baskets, and embroider the names of his daughters on them.  She has placed them in my hands to-day, and I have brought them myself in order to explain the circumstances.”

“Are they paid for?” inquired Madame.

“I have paid for them,” replied the young man, blushing deeply; “but please not to inform the young ladies of that circumstance.  And, Madame, I have a favor to ask of you.  Here are fifty dollars.  I want you to use them for the young ladies without their knowledge; and I should like to remit to you half my wages every month for the same purpose.  When Mr. Royal was closing business, he wrote several letters of recommendation for me, and addressed them to well-established merchants.  I feel quite sure of getting a situation where I can earn more than I need for myself.”

“Bon garcon!” exclaimed Madame, patting him on the shoulder.  “I will borrow the fifty dollars; but I trust we shall be able to pay you before many months.”

“It will wound my feelings if you ever offer to repay me,” replied the young man.  “My only regret is, that I cannot just now do any more for the daughters of my best friend and benefactor, who did so much for me when I was a poor, destitute boy.  But would it be asking too great a favor, Madame, to be allowed to see the young ladies, and place in their hands these presents from their father?”

Madame Guirlande smiled as she thought to herself, “What is he but a boy now?  He grows tall though.”