The manner in which Desiree disposed of me, shall be related in another
number.

{another number = in the Graham's Magazine periodical version, not
divided into chapters, this paragraph closed the first of the four
installments in which the story was printed; in later book versions it was
changed to read "in the next chapter"}



CHAPTER VIII.

The reader is not to infer that Desiree was unusually mercenary. That
she was a little addicted to this weakness, is true--who ever knew a
commissionaire that was not? But she had her moments of benevolence,
as well as others, and had really made some sacrifice of her time, and
consequently of her interests, in order to serve Adrienne in her distress.
As for the purchase of myself, that was in the way of her commerce;
and it is seldom, indeed, that philanthropy can overcome the habits of
trade.

Desiree was not wholly without means, and she was in no hurry to reap
the benefit of her purchase. I remained in her possession, according to
my calculation, some two or three years before she ever took me out of
the drawer in which I had been deposited for safe keeping. I was
considered a species of corps de reserve. At the end of that period,
however, her thoughts recurred to her treasure, and an occasion soon
offered for turning me to account. I was put into the reticule, and carried
about, in readiness for any suitable bargain that might turn up.