And while I spoke, smiling, I prayed within that he might continue to think of me all things good--far better than I deserved, yet not better than I would try to deserve in the future, if I were permitted to spend that future with him.
The next thing I did was to send my letter to Count Godensky.

This was a flinging down of the glove, and I knew it well.

But I was ready to fight now.
Then, I had to keep my promise to Miss Forrest.

But I had thought of a way in which, I hoped, that promise--fulfilled as I meant to fulfil it--might help rather than injure me.

I had not lain awake all night for nothing.
I went to the office of the Chief of Police, who is a gentleman and a patron of the theatre--when he can spare time from his work.