im to see that her eyes were full of
happy tears.

"Yes," she resumed in softer tones, "I went to see Colonel Moss, and
he was delighted with my voice. Mr. Harrison says I learn with
extraordinary rapidity and have quite wonderful dramatic talent, and
madame has almost as much praise for my dancing. I had to pay some
bills out of the fifty pounds; but I am sure I can live upon the
balance and pay for my lessons until September. As soon as I am strong
enough to look after my costumes, my manager will advance money for
them."

"Do you mean that you are to have fifty pounds a week?"

"I am to have thirty pounds a week. That is very good pay, indeed, for
a novice."

"For six nights and a matinee? You ought to have had far more; it is
not five pounds a performance. You ought to have ten pounds. I must
see about this arrangement. Moss has taken advantage of you."

"I have given my promise, Roland, and I intend to keep it. You must
not interfere in this matter."

"Oh, but I must!"

"It will be useless. I shall stand to my own arrangement."

"It is a very poor one."

"It is better than any you ever made for me."

"Of course! I had all the preparatory work to do, getting you
known--getting a hearing for you, in fact. Now the harvest is ripe, it
is easy enough to get offers. You had better let me have a talk with
Moss."

"I have signed all the necessary papers. I have accepted fifty pounds
in advance. I will not--no--I will not break a letter of my promise
for anyone."

"Then I shall have nothing to do with the affair. It is a swindle on
Moss' part."

"No, it is not. He made me a fair offer; I, of my own free will and
judgment, accepted it."

"Thirty pounds a week! What is that for a first-class part?"

"It is a good salary. I can pay my expenses and buy my wardrobe out
of it. You have Elizabeth's money. When it is done she will
probably give you more. She ought to, as you preferred trusting to
her." But though the words were laughingly said, they sprang from a
root of bitterness.

In fact, Roland quickly discovered that those ten days he had so idly
passed at Burrell Court with his sister had been ten days of amazing
growth in every direction to Denasia. She had wept when Roland so
suddenly left her; wept at his want of faith in her, at his want of
care for her, at his indifference to her weakness and poverty. But to
sit still and cry was not the way of her class. She had been
accustomed to reflect, when