"Thanks, Blanchette, it is without doubt to my poor friends that I owe
this sweet charity. Perhaps in another and better world they can see the
repentance of their poor Blondine and wish to assist her in her
frightful position."

"A true repentance will obtain pardon for all faults," said a kind
voice.

"Ah!" exclaimed Blondine, "years of sorrow and weeping for my crimes
would not suffice! I can never pardon myself!"

In the mean time, night approached. Notwithstanding her anguish and
repentance, Blondine began to reflect upon some means of securing
herself from the ferocious wild beasts, whose terrible roars she already
believed she heard in the distance. She saw some steps before her a kind
of hut, formed by several trees growing near together and interlacing
their branches. Bowing her head, she entered, and found that by
carefully connecting some branches she could form a pretty and secure
retreat. She employed the remainder of the day in arranging this little
room and gathered a quantity of moss, with which she made herself a bed
and pillow. She concealed the entrance to this little retreat by some
broken branches and leaves and went to rest, utterly worn out with
regret and fatigue.

When Blondine awoke it was broad daylight. At first she could scarcely
collect her thoughts and understand her position but the sad realities
of her lot were soon apparent to her and she commenced weeping as
before.

Blondine was hungry, and she could not imagine how she was to secure
food but soon she heard again the sound of the cow-bells. In a few
moments, Blanchette stood near her. Blondine again loosened the
porringer, drew the milk and drank till her hunger was appeased, then
replaced the porringer and kissed Blanchette, hoping to see her again
during the day. Every day--in the morning, at midday and in the
evening--Blanchette came to offer Blondine her frugal repast.

Blondine passed the time in tears for her poor friends, and bitter
self-reproach for her crimes.

"By my unpardonable disobedience," she said to herself, "I have caused
the most terrible misfortunes, which it is not in my power to repair. I
have not only lost my good and true friends but I am deprived of the
only means of finding my father, my poor father, who perhaps still
expects his Blondine, his most unhappy Blondine, condemned to live and
die alone in this frightful forest where her evil genius reigns
supreme."

Blondine sought to amuse and employ h