Lenora pointed to the chair.
"Do you see that linen?" said she. "I have a dozen fine shirts to make out of it; and when they are done there are as many more waiting for me. They pay me good wages, and I think, from what they say, that in time there will be something better in store for me. But as yet that is only a hope,—only a hope."
De Vlierbeck seemed particularly struck by the last remark of his daughter, as he looked at her anxiously.
"Well! well! what is it that makes you so happy and hopeful?" said he.
Lenora took up her sewing again and went busily to work.
"You wouldn't guess it in a week, father! Do you know who gave me this work? It is the rich lady who lives in the house with a court-yard, at the corner of our street. She sent for me this morning, and I went to her while you were abroad. You are surprised, father; are you not?"
"I am, indeed, Lenora. You are speaking of Madame De Royan, for whom you were employed to embroider those handsome collars. How does she come to know you?"
"I really don't know. Perhaps the person who gave me her collars to embroider told her who worked them: she must have spoken to her about your illness and our poverty, for Madame De Royan knows more of us than you imagine.'
"Heavens! She does not know—"
"No! she knows nothing about our name or from whence we came."