"Monsieur, there is one way in which, possibly, you might aid me," she began, with some reluctance.
"Name it, mademoiselle!—by all means name it!" Monsieur Lamonti eagerly interposed.
"To do that I shall have to open my heart to you a little," Mollie continued, with a slight quiver of her sweet lips.
"Ah! mademoiselle honors me," said the gentleman, with a grave and courteous bow.
"Monsieur," the fair girl resumed, flushing again, but with her lovely eyes steadfastly gazing into his, for she had no false shame on account of her poverty, "I have recently been reduced to the necessity of supporting myself and my father, who is a hopeless invalid; but I am unable to obtain a position. If monsieur could assist me in this respect, I should be very grateful, for the need is urgent."
Her companion regarded her with admiration. She looked like a young queen, in spite of her surroundings and the simplicity of her apparel. Her face was grave and sweet, but strong with the noble purpose that animated her; her shining hair was like a coronet of gold above her brow, and she bore herself with a quiet dignity and air of self-respect that must have commanded the esteem of any one.
"And what is mademoiselle fitted for—what is the position which she would like best of all?" Monsieur Lamonti inquired.
"I hardly know," Mollie thoughtfully returned. "I have a good education, and I could teach, if I could find an opening. As you perceive, I can speak French."
"Mademoiselle's accent is perfect," interposed her listener.
"I am equally familiar with German," she resumed, with an appreciative smile at his compliment; "I studied in Heidelberg two years, and there are some other branches which I think I may truthfully say I am competent to teach."