"My darling, how can you imagine I would seek to send you back?"
Annie Brunel did not sleep much that night; but by the morning she had recovered all her wonted courage and self-composure. Indeed, it was with a new and singular sense of freedom and cheerfulness that she rose to find the world before her, her own path through it as yet uncertain and full of risks. But she was now mistress of herself; she went to bid Mrs. Christmas good morning with a blithe air, and then, as every Englishwoman does under such circumstances, she sent for the _Times_.
She had no definite impression about her capabilities for earning her living out of the dramatic profession; but she expected to find all the requisite suggestions in the _Times_. Here was column after column of proffered employment; surely one little bit might be allotted to her. So she sate down hopefully before the big sheet, and proceeded to put a well-defined cross opposite each advertisement which she imagined offered her a fair chance.
While she was thus engaged, Count Schönstein’s brougham was announced; and a few minutes thereafter, the Count, having sent up his card, was permitted to enter the room.
Outwardly his appearance was elaborate, and he wore a single deep crimson rose in the lapel of his tightly-buttoned frock-coat. His eyes, however, were a little anxious. And it was soon apparent that he had for the present relinquished his grand manner.
"I am delighted to see you looking so well," he said, "and I hope Mrs. Christmas is also the better for her holiday——"
"Poor Lady Jane is very ill," said Miss Brunel, "though she will scarcely admit it."
"Have I disturbed your political studies?" he asked, looking at the open newspaper.
"I have been reading the advertisements of situations," she said, frankly.
"Not, I hope," he remarked, "with any reference to what I heard from Mr. Melton last night about your retiring from the stage?"
"Indeed, it is from no other cause," she said, cheerfully. "I have resolved not to play any more; but we cannot live without my doing something——"
"In the meantime," said the Count, drawing a letter from his pocket, "I have much pleasure in handing you this note from Mr. Melton. You will find that it releases you from your present engagement, whenever you choose to avail yourself of the power."