“Because the count must not find me here. You would be compelled to introduce me to him; he might remember my name; and, if he were to tell Miss Sarah that I am your friend, all would be lost.”
Thereupon he turned to go; but at the same moment the outer door was opened, and he said,—
“There is the count! I am caught.”
But Daniel opened promptly the door to his bedroom, pushed him in, and shut the door. It was high time; the same moment the count entered.
VI.
The count must have risen early that day. Although it was not yet ten o’clock, he was already brilliant, rouged, dyed, and frizzed. Of course all these results had not been the work of an hour. As he entered, he drew a long breath, and said,—
“Ah! You live pretty high up, my dear Daniel.”
Poor fellow! He forgot that he was playing the young man. But he recalled himself at once, and added, full of vivacity,—
“Not that I complain of it; oh, no! A few stories to climb—what is that to me?”