She
would need all her magnanimity for her own trial, and it seemed gross to
make further demands upon it on Roderick's behalf.
Rowland took up his hat. "You asked a while ago if I had come to help
you," he said. "If I knew how I might help you, I should be particularly
glad."
She stood silent a moment, reflecting. Then at last, looking up, "You
remember," she said, "your promising me six months ago to tell me what
you finally thought of me? I should like you to tell me now."
He could hardly help smiling. Madame Grandoni had insisted on the fact
that Christina was an actress, though a sincere one; and this little
speech seemed a glimpse of the cloven foot. She had played her great
scene, she had made her point, and now she had her eye at the hole
in the curtain and she was watching the house! But she blushed as she
perceived his smile, and her blush, which was beautiful, made her fault
venial.
"You are an excellent girl!" he said, in a particular tone, and gave her
his hand in farewell.
There was a great chain of rooms in Mrs. Light's apartment, the pride
and joy of the hostess on festal evenings, through which the departing
visitor passed before reaching the door.
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