"Yes," imperiously, "I was there! And heard and saw the effect it had on the people; how it stirred all their baser passions! But you, of course, could not know--or care, thinking only of the sous!--that, instead of teaching a lesson, the piece would only move them to anger, or resentment." "I--your Ladyship--great lords have commended the play--" "Great lords!" she began, but stopped; regarded her listener and shrugged her shoulders. A few moments silence lasted, the fellow apparently not knowing what to say, or if he was expected to say anything, while, for her part, the girl no longer looked at him, but at the flowers, taking one, which she turned in her fingers. "Your Ladyship would command me--" "To give the play no more!" "But--" Expostulation shone from his look. "In which event you shall be suffered to go free to-morrow." "But my livelihood! What shall I do, if I am forbidden to earn--" She gave him a colder look. "I have spoken to the commandant; told him what I had seen, and that I did not think you intended to make trouble. Your case will, therefore, not be reported to his Excellency. Only," with a warning flash, "if you are again caught giving the play, you must expect to receive your deserts." "Of course! If your Ladyship commands!" dejectedly. "I do! But, as an offset to the coppers you might otherwise receive, I will give you a sum of money sufficient to compensate you." "Your Ladyship is so generous!" He made an uncouth gesture of gratitude and covetousness. "May I ask your Ladyship how much--" [Illustration: "May I ask your ladyship how much--?"] "How much?" scornfully. "But I suppose--" The words died away; her glance fell; lingered on the hand he had extended. Muscular, shapely, it seemed not adapted to the servile gesture; was most unlike the hand of clod or clown. Moreover, it was marked with a number of wounds, half-healed, which caught and held her look. "Of course, I am so poor, your Ladyship--" he began, in yet more abject tone, but stopped, attracted in turn by the direction of her gaze; then, meeting it, quickly withdrew the hand and thrust it into his pocket. Not in time, however, to prevent a startled light, a swift gleam of recollection from springing into her eyes! The very movement itself--ironically enough!--was not without precedent. "You!" She recoiled from him. "The Black--" As a man who realizes he has betrayed himself, he bit his lips; but attempted no further subterfuge. The shambling figure straightened; the dull eyes grew steady; the bold self-possession she remembered well on another occasion again marked his bearing. "Your Ladyship has discerning eyes," he remarked quietly, but as he spoke glanced and moved a little toward the window.