Lillie soon became more popular even than her sister; for, although
she was not so well educated, she was naturally clever and witty,
and there was a vivacity and freshness about her conversation, which,
added to her beautiful face and perfect figure, made her a charming
and desirable companion.

One day Mr. D'Alton, one of the gentlemen who had rescued the two
girls from the fire, was walking along Notre Dame street, when he
observed a beautiful girl, rather showily dressed, promenading just
in front of him. Something in the girl's manner attracted his
attention, and, as he passed her, he turned round, and carefully
scanned her face. As he did so the girl looked up and their eyes met;
he, raising his hat, blurted out an apology, saying he had mistaken
her for another lady of his acquaintance named Brown. "Oh," said she,
laughing, "my name is Lillie Wilson."

On hearing this name D'Alton started, and, having questioned her
closely concerning her antecedents, asked her if she remembered the
fire, and the two gentlemen who rescued herself and her sister; and,
although she had altogether forgotten his appearance, she remembered
the circumstance perfectly. They walked together for a little while,
and then he asked her permission to visit her at her address, and was
astonished to find that she objected, for some strange reason, to do
so. At length, bursting into tears, she confided to him her whole
history, informing him that she had been seduced and betrayed, and
was at that moment _enceinte_. This disclosure, as may well be
supposed, staggered D'Alton not a little, but at the same time he
became more and more interested in the girl, and offered, if she
would promise to give up her corrupt mode of life that he would do
his best to see her through her present difficulty. Calling on me, he