But from this state I aroused myself, after a while, and determined to go and see Mr.Paralette at once.

A servant called a carriage, and I ordered the driver to take me to the store of Ballantine & Paralette.
"'There is no such firm now, madam,' he said; 'Mr.Ballantine was lost at sea some years ago.

It is Paralette & Co.

now.' "'Drive me there, then,' I said, in a choking voice.
"In a few minutes the carriage stopped at the place I had designated, and I entered the store formerly kept by my father.
Though I had been absent for eight years, yet every thing looked familiar, and nothing more familiar than the face of Mr.Paralette, my father's partner.

I advanced to meet him with a quick step; but his look of unrecognition, and the instant remembrance that he had not attended to my note, and moreover that it had been plainly hinted to me that I was an impostor, made me hesitate, and my whole manner to become confused.
"'Eugenia Ballantine is my name,' said I, in a quivering voice.