aid you." And now
we were seated side by side, poring over the same page; and as she had
placed one taper finger next the column of figures, I did so likewise,
thinking far less of the arithmetic than of the chance of touching her
hand with mine.

"These figures are somewhat confusing," she said. "Let us begin at the
top,--fourteen hundred and six hundred, make two thousand, and twelve
hundred, three thousand two hundred,--now is this a seven or a three?"

"I'd say a three."

"I 've called it a seven, because M. Marsac usually writes his sevens in
this way."

"These are De Marsac's, then?" asked I.

"And why 'De,' may I ask?" said she, quickly; "why not Marsac, as I
called him?"

"I took his name as he gave it me."

"You know him, then? Oh, I had forgotten,--he called on you the night he
came. Have you seen him since?"

"Only passingly, in the street"

"Had he time to tell you that he has been dismissed?"

"Yes; he said he was now in Mr. Bettmeyer's office."

"Shall I tell you why?" She stopped, and her cheek became crimson, while
her eyes sparkled with an angry fire that actually startled me. "But let
us finish this. Where were we?" She now leaned her head down upon her
hands, and seemed overcome by her emotion. When she looked up again, her
face was perfectly pale, and her eyes sad and weariful. "I am afraid we
shall wake him," said she, looking towards her father; "come into this
room here. So this man has been talking of us?" cried she, as soon as we
had passed into the adjoining room. "Has he told you how he has requited
all my father's kindness? how he has repaid his trustfulness and faith
in him? Speak freely if you wish me to regard you as a friend."

"I would that you might, Fraeulein. There is no name I would do so much
to win."

"But you are a gentleman, and with noble blood. Could you stoop to be
the friend of--" Here she hesitated, and, after an effort, added, "A
Jew?"

"Try me, prove me," said I, stooping till my lips touched her hand.

She did not withdraw her hand, but left it in mine, as I pressed it
again and again to my lips.

"He told you, then," said she, in a half-whisper, "that our house was
on the brink of ruin; that in a few weeks, or even less, my father would
not face the exchange,--did he not say this?"

"I will tell you all," said I, "for I know you will forgive me when I
repeat what will offend you to hear, but what is safer you should hear."
And, in the fewest words