pay all traveling and moving expenses. And, to prove to me the
fairness of his intentions, he was ready, he said, to sign an
agreement, and pay me a thousand down.

"These offers were so brilliant, that I was staggered in my
resolution.

"'Well,' I said, 'give me twenty-four hours to decide. I wish to
see my employer.'

"He seemed very much annoyed; but, as I remained firm in my purpose,
he left, promising to return the next day to receive my final answer.

"I ran at once to my employer. She did not know what I was talking
about. She had sent no one, and was not acquainted with any American.

"Of course, I never saw him again; and I couldn't help thinking of
this singular adventure, when, one evening during the following
week, as I was coming home at about eleven o'clock, two policemen
arrested me, and, in spite of my earnest protestations, took me
to the station-house, where I was locked up with a dozen unfortunates
who had just been taken up on the Boulevards. I spent the night
crying with shame and anger; and I don't know what would have become
of me, if the justice of the peace, who examined me the next morning,
had not happened to be a just and kind man. As soon as I had
explained to him that I was the victim of a most humiliating error
he sent an agent in quest of information, and having satisfied
himself that I was an honest girl, working for my living, he
discharged me. But, before permitting me to go,

"'Beware, my child,' he said to me: 'it is upon a formal and
well-authenticated declaration that you were arrested. Therefore
you must have enemies. People have an interest in getting rid of
you.'"

Mademoiselle Lucienne was evidently almost exhausted with fatigue:
her voice was failing her. But it was in vain that Maxence begged
her to take a few moments of rest.

"No," she answered, "I'd rather get through as quick as possible."

And, making an effort, she resumed her narrative, hurrying more
and more.

"I returned home, my mind all disturbed by the judge's warnings.
I am no coward; but it is a terrible thing to feel one's self
incessantly threatened by an unknown and mysterious danger, against
which nothing can be done.

"In vain did I search my past life: I could think of no one who
could have any interest in effecting my ruin. Those alone have
enemies who have had friends. I had never had but one friend, the
kind-hearted girl who had turned me out of her home in a fit of
absurd je