"If I knew how I might help you, I should be particularly glad." She stood silent a moment, reflecting.

Then at last, looking up, "You remember," she said, "your promising me six months ago to tell me what you finally thought of me?
I should like you to tell me now." He could hardly help smiling.

Madame Grandoni had insisted on the fact that Christina was an actress, though a sincere one; and this little speech seemed a glimpse of the cloven foot.

She had played her great scene, she had made her point, and now she had her eye at the hole in the curtain and she was watching the house! But she blushed as she perceived his smile, and her blush, which was beautiful, made her fault venial.
"You are an excellent girl!" he said, in a particular tone, and gave her his hand in farewell.
There was a great chain of rooms in Mrs.Light's apartment, the pride and joy of the hostess on festal evenings, through which the departing visitor passed before reaching the door.

In one of the first of these Rowland found himself waylaid and arrested by the distracted lady herself.
"Well, well ?" she cried, seizing his arm.