CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE STORY AND ITS LISTENERS.
It was neither at the fainting mother nor at Joe that Cecile now looked. With eyes opening wide with astonishment and hope, she ran forward, caught Miss Smith's two hands in her own, and exclaimed in a voice rendered unsteady with agitation:
"Oh! have you got my purse? Is Lovedy's Russia-leather purse quite, quite safe?"
Busy as young Mme. Malet was at that moment, at the word "Lovedy" she started and turned round. But Cecile was too absorbed in Miss Smith's answer to notice anyone else.
"Is Lovedy's purse quite, quite safe?" asked her trembling lips.
"The purse is safe," answered Miss Smith; and then Joe, who had as yet not even glanced at Cecile, also raised his head and added:
"Yes, Cecile, the Russia-leather purse is safe."
"Then I must thank Jesus now at once," said Cecile.
With her weak and tottering steps she managed to leave the room to gain her own little chamber, where, if ever a full heart offered itself up to the God of Mercy, this child's did that night.