"Have I disturbed your political studies?" he asked, looking at the open newspaper.
"I have been reading the advertisements of situations," she said, frankly.
"Not, I hope," he remarked, "with any reference to what I heard from Mr. Melton last night about your retiring from the stage?"
"Indeed, it is from no other cause," she said, cheerfully. "I have resolved not to play any more; but we cannot live without my doing something——"
"In the meantime," said the Count, drawing a letter from his pocket, "I have much pleasure in handing you this note from Mr. Melton. You will find that it releases you from your present engagement, whenever you choose to avail yourself of the power."
The young girl's face was lit up with a sudden glow of happiness and gratitude.
"How can I ever thank him for this great kindness?" she said,—"so unexpected, so generous! Indeed, I must go and see him and thank him personally; it is the greatest kindness I have received for years."
The Count was a little puzzled.
"You understand, Miss Brunel, that—that paper, you see, was not quite Mr. Melton's notion until——"
"Until you asked him? Then I am indebted to you for many kindnesses, but for this more than all. I feel as if you had given me a pair of wings. How shall I ever thank you sufficiently——?"