The lady could give no information, except that they had returned to Europe. Having obtained directions where to find her husband, they thanked her, and wished her good morning.
Flora held the parrot up to the cage, and said, "Bon jour, jolie
Manon!"
"Bon jour!" repeated the bird, and hopped upon her perch.
After they had entered the carriage, Flora said: "How melancholy it seems that everybody is gone, except Jolie Manon! How glad the poor thing seemed to be to see me! I wish I could take her home."
"I will send to inquire whether the lady will sell her," replied her friend.
"O Mamita, you will spoil me, you indulge me so much," rejoined Flora.
Mrs. Delano smiled affectionately, as she answered: "If you were very spoilable, dear, I think that would have been done already."
"But it will be such a bother to take care of Manon," said Flora.
"Our new servant Chloe can do that," replied Mrs. Delano. "But I really hope we shall get home without any further increase of our retinue."
From the clerk information was obtained that he heard Mr. Duroy tell Mr. Bruteman that a lady named Rosabella Royal had sailed to Europe with Signor and Madame Papanti in the ship Mermaid. He added that news afterward arrived that the vessel foundered at sea, and all on board were lost.