r deficiency in
strength and courage with his own, she was worthier love than ever. At
this view, too, he was sure that, unlike too many of the _divas_ of
these _spielungs_, or dens, she was not one of the stray creatures who
sell pleasure to some and give it to others, and for themselves keep
only shame--fatal ignominy, wealth at best very unsubstantial, and if,
at last, winners, they laugh--one would rather see them weeping.

"What's your name?" she inquired, quickly. "I am Rebecca Daniels, whom
they call on the Bills 'La Belle Stamboulane'--though I have never been
farther east than Prague," she added with a contemptuous smile. "That
was my father, whose maltreatment you so promptly but I fear so severely
chastised. But your name?" impatiently.

"I am a student of Wilna University, traveling according to custom of
the college, through Germany and to make the Italian Art Tour. I am
Claudius Ruprecht."

"Not noble?" she inquired, sadly, on hearing two Christian names and
none of family, for her people treasure the pride of ancestry.

"I am an orphan. I never knew my family. Perhaps, as I am of age, I
shall soon be informed. But--"

"Enough! time is getting on, and we cannot long stay in privacy
here--the passage-way for the performers. This is Freyers' Hall, where I
sing--where I was a player. But my father can speak to you in the public
room and see to your safety--for I fear this night's affair will end
ill. But do not you fear! neither my father nor I have the powerlessness
which that noble ruffian seemed to think is ours. You, at least, shall
be saved--even though you killed that brute."

"I do not think that, unless his head is not so hard as his heart."

She opened a narrow door in the dirty wall. It was brighter in the
capacious place thus shown.

"Go in and sit down anywhere. My father will be with you in a few
minutes. We were so delayed that they feared we would not arrive for
'our turn.' They were glad of the excuse--I fancy they were told it
might occur--and they are trying to break our agreement. But never mind!
that is but a bread-and-butter business for us. For you, it will be life
and death, if that officer be slain."

Claudius, the student, mechanically obeyed the gentle impulsion her hand
imparted to him on the shoulder, and walked through the side-door. A
number of benches were before him with corresponding narrow tables, and
he sat down at one, and looked round.

He found himself in a ve