"Oh thank you, thank you sincerely!" cried Janina beaming with joy. And so elated was she that she kissed Majkowska, who, as was her habit, was almost lying on the table and gazing absently at the lamp.
"But you must help us!" said Topolski after a short pause.
"I? What can I do?" she asked in surprise.
"A great deal! If you only want to . . ." he answered.
"Well! if you say that I can, then, of course I shall be glad to help, for it is not only my duty, but also in my own interest! But I'm very curious to know what I can do."
"It's a question of that one thousand rubles. The money is already assured, only there is one little condition . . ."
"What is it?" Janina asked curiously.
Topolski drew closer to her, took hold of her hands in a friendly way and only then answered:
"Miss Janina not only our theater, but your entire artistic future depends on this, so I will tell you frankly that there is someone who is ready to give even two thousand rubles, but he said that he would give them only to you personally, otherwise not at all."
"Who is that person?" she asked uneasily.