"Is Blanche French?" "By the name, you see she is of French descent; and she speaks the language like a native born _Francaise_; however, her mother was purely American, and her father never spoke a word of French in all his life. She has acquired it by mingling, no doubt, with the Creoles here." "You speak it yourself, Mr. Wilkins?" "Yes; and I acquired it in that way." "You know where Blanche lives?" "Yes." "And visit her sometimes?" "Occasionally." "Can I accompany you there some evening, sir? I would like to know her better." "To be sure you may, Guly; especially, as you are henceforth to be somewhat associated in the business line. As I have told you, Blanche is a noble little girl; I respect her highly; very few know where she lives, and I wouldn't take every one there. You understand?" "Certainly. I shan't name her residence to any one." "Very well, then; whenever you say--_you alone, remember_." "Thank you, Wilkins; when I can go I will tell you." "Just so." Wilkins stepped back to his desk, and Guly still stood arranging the new pieces of embroidery. There was for him a charm about them. Accustomed as he was to seeing such things, he could not get tired of looking at these. They were far more beautiful than any of those which were really French, and had come from over the seas; and from every graceful twig and twining tendril, there looked up at him a pair of soft brown eyes, whose gentle glances went down, and made themselves a home in the boy's pure heart. CHAPTER XV. ----"He is a man, Setting his fate aside, of comely virtues; Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice-- An honor in him which buys out his faults-- But with a noble fury and fair spirit, Seeing his reputation touched to death, He did oppose his foe." Shakspeare. "Mr. Delancey, will you wait one minute, sir!" exclaimed Arthur, coming in, apparently much excited, just as Guly replaced the box on the shelf. The merchant stopped just as he was going out of the door, and planting his cane firmly down upon the floor, turned round with the frown between his eyebrows quite visibly deepened. "Well, sir, what will you have?" "Your attention, if you can give it, sir--one moment at your desk." "Whatever you've got to say, say it here." "No, sir, I must see you privately." Wilkins and Guly both looked at Arthur in mute astonishment. His face was flushed and heated, his breath came short, like one who had been running, and his eyes and lips, and whole manner, evinced intense agitation and excitement. "Is it such particular business, young man, that you must detain me now?" said the merchant, somewhat angered at the prospect of detention from his usual dinner hour. "It is very particular business to me, sir; and interests you not much less."