Hotel ----._"
She handed him the paper.
"A thousand thanks, signorina. To-day, perhaps to-morrow, you will hear
from the friends of Calabressa. You will be ready to go where they ask
you to go?"
"Oh yes, yes, sir!" she exclaimed. "How can I thank you?"
"It is unnecessary," he said, taking the lamp to show her the way more
clearly. "I have the honor to wish you good-morning, signorina." And
again he bowed respectfully. "Your most humble servant, signorina."
She returned to the hotel, and found that her mother had gone up-stairs
to her own room.
"Natalushka, you have been away trying to find some one?"
"Yes, mother," the girl said, rather sadly.
"Why did you go alone?"
"I thought I would not tire you, dear mother."
Then she described all the circumstances of her morning's visit.
"But why should you be so sad, Natalushka?" the mother said, taking her
daughter's hand; "don't you know that fine palaces may have rusty keys?
Oh, I can reassure you on that point. You will not have to deal with
persons like your friend the wine-merchant--not at all.
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