The little girl blushed, and her governess, who was sitting by her, took her hand; but at this moment the general attention was drawn in another direction. A servant came into the room, and spoke in a low voice to Mrs. de Roisel, who replied aloud: “Ask them to come in here, of course.”
The next moment the servant announced Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Kirchner; and a lady and gentleman with three children entered the room.
The name of Fritz’s niece—the poor woman whom Maurice had helped—was known to every one present; it was known also that her husband, having already made a good fortune in America, was about to return to Europe with his family, but their arrival at this time was unexpected. Their dress showed that they had but just come off a journey, and it was evident that, on arriving in Paris, their first thought had been to pay a visit to Maurice.
Finding so many persons in the room, the new-comers stood for a moment confused; and Mrs. de Roisel hastened forward to welcome them.
“Oh, father,” exclaimed the little girl, “here is Maurice. I know him, though he is grown much bigger in two years.”
Maurice was immediately embraced and kissed by every member of the family in turn.
“It rests with God,” said Leopold Kirchner, with deep emotion,—“it rests with God to reward such actions as yours; but if ever it should happen that we can be of any service to you, remember that all we possess, and all we can do, is at your command. But we had another benefactor at the same time.”
“Yes, that was Mr. Duberger,” Maurice hastened to say, glad to turn attention away from himself. “Here he is!”
“Sir,” said Leopold Kirchner to him, “I am not surprised to see you here. My wife’s uncle, Fritz Keller, who wrote to us very often about Maurice de Roisel, told us how you had become his friend and that of his parents. It is natural that those who have good hearts should come together, and esteem and love each other. I find no words, sir, in which I can express my gratitude to you.”
