Floracita was still in the full career of fun, when footsteps were heard approaching; and, as usual, she bounded forth to welcome her father.

Several men, bearing a palanquin on their shoulders, were slowly ascending the piazza.

She gave one glance at their burden, and uttered a shrill scream.

Rosabella hastened to her in great alarm.
Tulipa followed, and quickly comprehending that something terrible had happened, she hurried away to summon Madame Guirlande.

Rosabella, pale and trembling, gasped out, "What has happened to my father ?" Franz Blumenthal, a favorite clerk of Mr.Royal's, replied, in a low, sympathizing tone, "He was writing letters in the counting-room this afternoon, and when I went in to speak to him, I found him on the floor senseless.