"You have made me your friend for life," said Adelaide, "the best friend you ever had, or ever will have."
She sat down to her desk, and on a sheet of note-paper wrote these words:
"Dear Christian:
"I cannot sleep until I wish you good-night, with no horrid people around us. Let me see you for one minute only.
"Adelaide."
Placing the sheet of note-paper in an envelope, she gave it to Dionetta, saying:
"Take this to Mr. Almer's room, and give it to him. It is nothing of any importance, but he will be pleased to receive it."
Dionetta, marvelling why her lady should place any value upon so slight a service, went upstairs with the note, and returned with the information that Christian Almer was not in his room.
"But his door is open, my lady," she said, "and the lamps are burning."
"Go then, again," said Adelaide, "and place the note on his desk. There is no harm, child; he cannot see you, as he is not there, and if he were, he would not be angry."