"She'd rather not give it, sir."
"Very well," said Falkenstein, consigning all women to the devil; "show her up."
Resigning himself to his fate, he rose, leaning his hand on the arm of the chair. He started involuntarily as the door opened again.
"Valérie!"
She looked up at him half hesitatingly. "Count Waldemar, don't be angry with me——"
"Angry! no, Heaven knows; but——"
Her face and her voice were fast thawing his chill reserve, and he stopped abruptly.
"You wonder why I have come here," Valérie went on singularly shyly for her, "but—but I heard that you—you have much to trouble you just now. Is it true?"
"True enough, Heaven knows."
"Then—then," said Valérie, with all her old impetuosity, "let me do something for you—let me help you in some way—you who have done everything for me, who have been the only person kind to me on earth. Do let me—do not refuse me. I would die to serve you."