he was yet smarting. With heightened pleasure she
beheld his joyful interest, and, warming with his
sympathy, whilst she gloated over the anticipated
revenge, she exclaimed, as her face assumed a dark,
prophetic aspect: "Yes, we will humble that mon-
grel, and her proud, petted child. What better are
they than we, what nearer to thy father? See how
I toil, and do his drudgery; keep him a home, who,
but for me, would have no home, and no one to care
for him. Yet no fine country house for me, fine
clothes, rich presents; no fine gifts for thee, my child,
no endless schooling, no sending _thee_ to travel; no
allowance, no expense to help to make of thee a gentle-
man, like his endeavours to make her child a lady;
no fine lady sought for thee to be thy wife, Narcisse;
no closetings for me, who, but for her, had been thy
father's wife, and not his servant. But God and the
virgin have at last heard our prayers. Narcisse, my
darling, tell Alphonse Duchatel all that I have told
thyself. Bid him quickly inform his father, brothers,
sister; and if they have French blood in their veins
they will balk this half-breed and her daughter
brat."

Never was there an apter pupil than Narcisse
proved now; never a willinger. Scarcely could he
refrain from at once rushing forth to find his friend,
Alphonse; and he did at length arise with the
blessing and Godspeed of his mother, intending to
inform him, touching the rival who had so far and
so suddenly outstripped his sister on the road of
Claude's regard, when the voice of the advocate was
heard calling upon his son to attend him in the room
above. Narcisse obeyed; but filled with a sentiment

[[68]]

p067 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p068w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p069

v?