Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his
business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more
important duties. Accordingly, on a certain day late in the
winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was
among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more
definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing
post. He was much surprised when he saw coming from the
gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely
clad lady. For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then
suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
"It is Madame!" he exclaimed. "_Ah, bon jour! Bon jour! Ah,
c'est Madame_!"
"Yes," rejoined Josephine St. Auban, "it is I. And I am glad to
see St. Genevieve again, and you, Monsieur Hector. Tell me,--ah,
about that infant, that baby of ours!!
"Madame, believe me, there is none such in all the valley! Come!"
It was a proud and happy Jeanne who greeted her former mistress at
the little cottage with the green blinds, and the ivy, which lay
close upon the street of St.
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