Madam Dupley, who seemed to take great pleasure in descanting upon the Monsieur's kindness, that he had taken this step only after an ineffectual attempt to convey assistance to them, by placing money in her hands under an injunction of strict secrecy. Madam Lefrette blushed with offended pride when this came to her knowledge; but her attention was forcibly attracted by the warm praises bestowed upon the Frenchman by her enthusiastic sister-in-law; and it was remarked by both Marie and herself that these had more general reference to the little Master's character than to the generosity of this particular act. They observed also, that, although he never failed toward them in that delicate politeness which was his by the three-fold propriety of national, individual, and professional character, toward her his manner was far more impressive and devoted; and the fact that they had several times seen him leave the house when his entrance had not been notified to them, led them silently to suspect that the brisk little widow's commendations were as much the expression of a personal interest in him as of gratitude for friendly offices to them. This suspicion they never intruded upon their kind-hearted relative, however; and thus the quiet household went on for nearly two months.
Mr. Beman was still absent in St. Louis, or, at all events, not in Kaskaskia; although his proceedings, in the matters of his trust, were yet in progress, in both places. He had once written to De Cheville, who was now entirely recovered, in regard to some business, requesting at the same time that the young man would call upon the Lefrettes, before answering, and give him reliable information of their circumstances. But the latter had heard of Marie's engagement to young Le Vert; and being thus able to account for the assault upon him, believed that his visit could not be viewed otherwise than as an intrusion. He therefore contented himself with making minute inquiries of Monsieur Maillefert, on whose shady premises he spent much of his time, and communicating the result to his correspondent.
Notwithstanding this well-considered delicacy, however, De Cheville could not help haunting the neighborhood of her whom he loved; and this attraction might not only account for his remaining in Kaskaskia, but also for the singular intimacy which had grown up
