"I—your Ladyship—great lords have commended the play—"
"Great lords!" she began, but stopped; regarded her listener and shrugged her shoulders.
A few moments silence lasted, the fellow apparently not knowing what to say, or if he was expected to say anything, while, for her part, the girl no longer looked at him, but at the flowers, taking one, which she turned in her fingers.
"Your Ladyship would command me—"
"To give the play no more!"
"But—" Expostulation shone from his look.
"In which event you shall be suffered to go free to-morrow."
"But my livelihood! What shall I do, if I am forbidden to earn—"
She gave him a colder look. "I have spoken to the commandant; told him what I had seen, and that I did not think you intended to make trouble. Your case will, therefore, not be reported to his Excellency. Only," with a warning flash, "if you are again caught giving the play, you must expect to receive your deserts."
"Of course! If your Ladyship commands!" dejectedly.