"Pauline, what do you mean?"
"Seek to know nothing—only trust me. There are dark obscurities in the pathway of guilt, which I would not have you to penetrate. I have promised to befriend you in all things. What if the foul plot, which, as I believe, has been hatched by that villainous attorney, Silas Craig, were brought to light by my agency? Would you thank me for that, Camillia?"
"Thank you, Pauline? Oh, if you could but clear him I love from the vile accusations brought against him, I would be your grateful slave to the end of life."
"I do not ask that—I only ask patience and confidence. I hold a power over Silas Craig, which none other possesses, and on the day which crowns my hopes, he shall be made to confess his infamy, and withdraw the charge against Paul Lisimon."
"Pauline, Pauline," exclaimed Camillia; "my benefactress, my preserver."
"Hush!" said the Frenchwoman, laying her finger on her lips, "Remember, patience and caution."
As she spoke, Pepita, Camillia's old nurse, entered the room. "Oh, missy," said the faithful mulattress, "there is a sailorman below, who has fine silks and laces to show you, if you'll only look at his merchandise. Such bargains, he says, missy."
"But I don't want to see them," replied Camillia, indifferently; "tell the man to take his goods somewhere else, Pepita."
"Stay," interrupted Pauline; "we may as well look at these bargains."
"Ay, do, ma'moselle," said Pepita; "it will amuse poor missy. Poor missy very ill lately."