"I will come directly," answered her young mistress, and then turned to Edwin. "Excuse me, sir, I am called away. Accept my best thanks again. Jean, show the gentleman to the door."
The lad instantly stepped forward, but Edwin did not seem to notice him.
"I should like to ask one more question," said he.
"Sir--?"
"I obtained a glimpse of your charming rooms through the open doors. Everything that the most capricious fancy can desire seems to be supplied, with the exception of what is to me a necessity of life."
"You mean--?"
"A small library. Even the copy of Balzac, I see you have ordered from a circulating library. Pardon my frankness, Fräulein, but I do not understand how such beautiful fingers can touch a book which has already been on so many tables and passed through so many hands of doubtful cleanliness."
He saw her blush and cast an almost startled glance at the book on the little marble table.
"I have not been here long," she replied, "and as yet have given no thought to procuring books."
"Then permit me to put my little stock at your disposal. True, it is not very rich in French literature, but if you have no aversion to German books--"