"One of us
must speak plainly," she said. "Our few friends are nearly as poor as
we are, and they are all French. I tell you positively that we have no
English friends. How has this anonymous benefactor been informed of
our poverty? You are a stranger to us--_you_ cannot have given the
information?"
Stella's eyes were now open to the awkward position in which she had
placed herself. She met the difficulty boldly, still upheld by the
conviction that she was serving a purpose cherished by Romayne. "You had
good reasons, no doubt, mademoiselle, when you advised your mother to
conceal her true name," she rejoined. "Be just enough to believe that
your 'anonymous benefactor' has good reasons for concealment too."
It was well said, and it encouraged Madame Marillac to take Stella's
part. "My dear Blanche, you speak rather harshly to this good young
lady," she said to her daughter. "You have only to look at her, and to
see that she means well."
Blanche took up her needle again, with dogged submission. "If we _are_
to accept charity, mother, I should like to know the hand that gives
it," she answered.
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