Adeline sighed deeply as she saw this jewel of womanhood in the mire of prostitution, and determined to rescue her to virtue.
"What is your name, my dear?"
"Atala, madame."
"And can you read and write?"
"No, madame; but that does not matter, as monsieur can."
"Did your parents ever take you to church? Have you been to your first Communion? Do you know your Catechism?"
"Madame, papa wanted to make me do something of the kind you speak of, but mamma would not have it—"
"Your mother?" exclaimed the Baroness. "Is she bad to you, then?"
"She was always beating me. I don't know why, but I was always being quarreled over by my father and mother—"
"Did you ever hear of God?" cried the Baroness.