After satisfying her father’s mind, as far as she dared do so at once, in regard to the real position in which he suddenly found himself placed, she left him, and going to the proper representative of the asylum, procured a transfer of the stock held for the support of Mr. Ballantine, and then placed the certificates in the hands of an agent for sale, procuring from him at the same time an advance of one hundred dollars for immediate use.  This was all accomplished in the course of a couple of hours.  After this arrangement, she paid Mrs. Gaston a hurried visit—­explained the happy change in her father’s state of mind, and promising to see her again in a little while; had her trunk sent to the hotel, to which she herself returned, after having purchased various articles of clothing.  When she next saw her father, her external appearance was greatly changed.  This seemed to afford him real pleasure.

The next two or three days she spent in gradually unfolding to him the whole history of the past five years.  At every step of her progress in this she trembled for the result—­like one traversing a narrow, unknown, and dangerous passage in the dark.  But on the third day, after nearly every thing had been told, she began to feel confidence that all would be well.  The agitation and strong indignation exhibited when she related the treatment she had received in New Orleans, especially from Mr. Paralette, alarmed her greatly.  But this gave way to a calm and rational consideration of the right course to be pursued to prove his identity and claim his property, to do which he was well aware would not be attended with any real difficulty, especially as with the return of reason had come back a distinct recollection of every particular connected with his business and property in New Orleans.

In the mean time, Mrs. Gaston was looked after, and temporary arrangements made for her comfort.  As soon as Mr. Ballantine fully understood the position of things in New Orleans, he insisted upon an immediate return to that city, which Eugenia did not oppose.  Preparations were therefore made for their early departure, and completed in a very short time.

It was nearly four o’clock on the afternoon of the day fixed for their departure, and when they were about leaving for the cars, that a servant came to the door of their parlor and said that a gentleman wished to see Mr. Ballantine.  The servant was requested to ask him to walk up.  Eugenia was in the parlor, and could not but feel surprised that any one in Boston should wish to see her father.  She waited, therefore, to see who the individual was.  He soon made his appearance—­entering without speaking, and advancing toward her with his eyes fixed intently upon her face.

“William!” she ejaculated, in a quick, low, astonished voice, and sank instantly upon a chair, pale as ashes, and trembling in every limb.

“Eugenia!  Can this be, indeed, my own long-lost Eugenia?” said Perkins, for it was he, springing eagerly forward and taking the half-fainting girl in his arms.