Daylight slowly fades from the wintry sky, the firelight flickers up and down the wall, and, as night descends, little Edith falls to sleep in Kate’s arms. But are these two alone? For though there is seen no shape among the shadows, nor is heard the sound of any voice, what is that something that like a radiance suddenly overspreads the bowed face? “The peace which passeth all understanding.” JULIE, JULIEN AND ONCLE LE CAPITAINE I. Who could she be—the little stranger asleep in the cabin? Nobody could tell. She must have come aboard unnoticed, hours ago, at the French port where the vessel had been lying for repairs. Had she wandered away from her home, and innocently lain down here to rest? In that home there would be grief, and anxiety, and long waiting, or ever she would return; for the ship was now many leagues out at sea, and the child had just been discovered. The sound of voices talking the matter over wakened the little girl, and she shrank timidly from all the eyes fixed inquiringly upon her. So the captain sent every one away, and sat down by her, and in her own language questioned: “How came you here, little one?” “Is not this, then, the ship which goes to America? There was a man in the street who told me it should go to America. Is it, then, a mistake?” “No, not a mistake. And you wish to go to America?” “Oui, monsieur. I go to Julien.” “And who is Julien?” “He is my brother.” “But how does it happen that you go alone?” “I have none to accompany me.” “Have you neither father nor mother?” “Non, monsieur.” “Does your brother know you are coming?” “Non, monsieur, he does not know it. It will be a surprise.” “But what put it into your head, little—what shall I call you? What is your name?” “Julie Leblanc.” “Well, then, my little Julie, how is it that you happen to be going to America? America is a long way off, do you know it?” “But no! is it, then? It cannot be far away where Julien is. Is it farther than Paris?” “A good deal farther, Julie.” “But what to do! No home, no friend. Only Julien.” “No home, no friend!” repeated the captain, stroking the dark hair, pityingly. “Did the father fall in battle?” “Yes, monsieur, many years ago, before I can remember.” “And how long is it that little Julie has been without home or friends?” “Since they took my dear mamma away to the burial,” answered the child, her eyes brimming with tears. After awhile the captain asked: “Julie, do you know just where your brother is, in what part of America?” “In what part, monsieur? Is it then so great a city? But, without doubt, there will be one who can tell me where he lives. In our village one knew everybody.” “Whew!” exclaimed the captain, twirling his thumbs. “Or I will stand at the corner of the street until he passes by. I shall know him, without doubt, he is so handsome. Oh, monsieur, I would know him anywhere. I knew him instantly the last time I saw him, although he wore the clothes of Jacques, the mason.”