"Allow me to quiet her, if you please," rejoined Flora. She opened the door of the cage, and the bird hopped on her arm, flapping her wings, and crying, "_Bon jour! Ha! ha_!"
"_Taisez vous, jolie Manon_," said Flora soothingly, while she stroked the feathery head. The bird nestled close and was silent.
When their errand was explained, the lady repeated the same story they had already heard about Mr. Duroy's family.
"Was the black woman who died there named Tulee?" inquired Flora.
"I never heard her name but once or twice," replied the lady. "It was not a common negro name, and I think that was it. Madame Papanti had put her and the baby there to board. After Mr. Duroy died, his son came home from Arkansas to settle his affairs. My husband, who was one of Mr. Duroy's clerks, bought some of the things at auction; and among them was that parrot."
"And what has become of Signor and Madame Papanti?" asked Mrs. Delano.
The lady could give no information, except that they had returned to Europe. Having obtained directions where to find her husband, they thanked her, and wished her good morning.
Flora held the parrot up to the cage, and said, "_Bon jour, jolie Manon_!"
"_Bon jour_!" repeated the bird, and hopped upon her perch.
After they had entered the carriage, Flora said: "How melancholy it seems that everybody is gone, except _Jolie Manon_! How glad the poor thing seemed to be to see me! I wish I could take her home."
"I will send to inquire whether the lady will sell her," replied her friend.
"O Mamita, you will spoil me, you indulge me so much," rejoined Flora.
Mrs. Delano smiled affectionately, as she answered: "If you were very spoilable, dear, I think that would have been done already."
"But it will be such a bother to take care of Manon," said Flora.
"Our new servant Chloe can do that," replied Mrs. Delano. "But I really hope we shall get home without any further increase of our retinue."
From the clerk information was obtained that he heard Mr. Duroy tell Mr. Bruteman that a lady named Rosabella Royal had sailed to Europe with Signor and Madame Papanti in the ship Mermaid. He added that news afterward arrived that the vessel foundered at sea, and all on board were lost.
With this sorrow on her heart, Flora returned to Boston. Mr. Percival was immediately informed of their arrival, and hastened to meet them. When the result of their researches was told, he said: "I shouldn't be disheartened yet. Perhaps they didn't sail in the Mermaid. I will send to the New York Custom-House for a list of the passengers."