Floracita, unable to comprehend this new misfortune, looked from one to the other in a bewildered way.  Nature had written mirthfulness in the shape of her beautiful eyes, which now contrasted strangely with their startled and sad expression.

The kind-hearted Frenchwoman bustled about the room, moving chairs, and passing her handkerchief over boxes, while she tried hard to swallow the emotions that choked her utterance.  Having conquered in the struggle, she turned toward them, and said, almost cheerfully:  “There’s no need of dying, my children.  Perhaps your old friend can help you out of this trouble.  We must disguise ourselves as gentlemen, and start for the North this very evening.”

Floracita looked at her sister, and said, hesitatingly:  “Couldn’t you write to Mr. Fitzgerald, and ask him to come here?  Perhaps he could help us.”

Rosa’s cheeks glowed, as she answered proudly:  “Do you think I would ask him to come?  I wouldn’t do such a thing if we were as rich and happy as we were a little while ago; and certainly I wouldn’t do it now.”

“There spoke Grandpa Gonsalez!” said Madame.  “How grand the old gentleman used to look, walking about so erect, with his gold-headed cane!  But we must go to work in a hurry, my children.  Signor Papanti has promised to send the disguises, and we must select and pack such things as it is absolutely necessary we should carry.  I am sorry now that Tulee is let out in the city, for we need her help.

“She must go with us,” said Flora.  “I can’t leave Tulee.”

“We must do as we can,” replied Madame.  “In this emergency we can’t do as we would. We are all white, and if we can get a few miles from here, we shall have no further trouble.  But if we had a negro with us, it would lead to questions, perhaps.  Besides, we haven’t time to disguise her and instruct her how to perform her part.  The Signor will be a good friend to her; and as soon as we can earn some money, we will send and buy her.”

“But where can we go when we get to the North?” asked Rosa.

“I will tell you,” said Floracita.  “Don’t you remember that Mr. King from Boston, who came to see us a year ago?  His father was papa’s best friend, you know; and when he went away, he told us if ever we were in trouble, to apply to him, as if he were our brother.”

“Did he?” said Madame.  “That lets in a gleam of light.  I heard your father say he was a very good young man, and rich.”

“But Papasito said, some months ago, that Mr. King had gone to Europe with his mother, on account of her health,” replied Rosa.  “Besides, if he were at home, it would be very disagreeable to go to a young gentleman as beggars and runaways, when he was introduced to us as ladies.”