of all her
hopes? Was she to go away thus? Then came a sudden cry, wrung from her
despair.

"Oh, sir, you must tell me if there is no one who can help me! I have
come to save one who is in trouble, in danger. Calabressa said to me,
'Go to Naples; go to such and such a place; the mere word Bartolotti
will give you powerful friends; count on them; they will not fail one
who belongs to the Berezolyis.' And now--"

"Your pardon, signorina: have the complaisance to repeat the name."

"Berezolyi," she answered, quickly; "he said it would be known."

"I for my part do not know it; but that is of no consequence," said the
man. "I begin to perceive what it is that you demand. It is serious. I
hope my friend Calabressa is justified. I have but to do my duty."

Then he glanced at the young lady--or, rather, at her costume.

"The assistance you demand for some one, signorina: is it a sum of
money--is it a reasonable, ordinary sum of money that would be in the
question, perhaps?"

"Oh no, signore; not at all!"

"Very well. Then have the kindness to write your name and your address
for me: I will convey your appeal."

He brought her writing materials; after a moment's consideration she
wrote--"_Natalie Lind, the daughter of Natalie Berezolyi. Hotel ----._"
She handed him the paper.

"A thousand thanks, signorina. To-day, perhaps to-morrow, you will hear
from the friends of Calabressa. You will be ready to go where they ask
you to go?"

"Oh yes, yes, sir!" she exclaimed. "How can I thank you?"

"It is unnecessary," he said, taking the lamp to show her the way more
clearly. "I have the honor to wish you good-morning, signorina." And
again he bowed respectfully. "Your most humble servant, signorina."

She returned to the hotel, and found that her mother had gone up-stairs
to her own room.

"Natalushka, you have been away trying to find some one?"

"Yes, mother," the girl said, rather sadly.

"Why did you go alone?"

"I thought I would not tire you, dear mother."

Then she described all the circumstances of her morning's visit.

"But why should you be so sad, Natalushka?" the mother said, taking her
daughter's hand; "don't you know that fine palaces may have rusty keys?
Oh, I can reassure you on that point. You will not have to deal with
persons like your friend the wine-merchant--not at all. I know at least
as much as that, child. But you see, they have to guard themselves."

Natalie would not leave the hotel fo