"Don’t say that," said the Count, deprecatingly. "They deceived you with the best intentions towards yourself. And have I not the same intentions? Look at your position—a governess, dependent on other people for your bread, liable to be out of a situation and starving at any moment, bound down to certain duties every day, and living a solitary monotonous life. Then look at what you would be if you would only listen to me; you would have nothing to do but enjoy yourself from January to December—you would have everything at your command——" "I think I have heard quite enough, Count Schönstein," she said, firmly. "And you would have spared both of us some pain if you had taken the answer I gave you before." "And that is your only answer?" "It is." "How can you be so cruel?—so unreasonable? What do you mean to do?" "I mean to leave this house." "Why?" he said, struck with astonishment. "_You_ need not ask me why. You have been a good friend to me, and I do not wish to part from you in anger. You have been kind to me. I am sorry it is impossible for me to ask you to see me again. I do not wish to see you again, or Mr. or Mrs. Hubbard, after what you have just told me." She left the room, and the Count sate staring blindly before him, remotely conscious that something terrible had befallen him. The next thing he saw was Annie Brunel entering the drawing-room, followed by Mrs. John. The younger lady was dressed in black, and had now her bonnet and shawl on. "Dear me!" said Mrs. Hubbard. "You astonish me. Deceive you? Never such a thought entered my head. And as for that advertisement, it was no trap at all, but addressed to all governesses. Of course we knew that you _might_ see it, and we were very glad when you did see it; but that we intentionally deceived you, I appeal to Count Schönstein, Miss Brunel." "What I know of these matters, Mrs. Hubbard, I have just learned from Count Schönstein," she said, coldly. "I don’t accuse any one. Perhaps you did nothing unusual. I don’t know anything about the customs among ladies. I have been brought up amongst another kind of people. Good morning." There was no resentment on the calm and beautiful face, nor the least touch of sarcasm in the low soft voice. There was sadness, however—a resigned, patient sadness, that smote the heart of both her auditors, and kept them silent there, while she went outside—into London, alone. CHAPTER XXXVI. AN OLD ADMIRER.