“Surely people are in love with one another sometimes,” said the sister.

“Sometimes,” repeated Anielka, inaudibly.  The dialogue had painfully affected her, and she knew not why.  Her heart beat quickly, and her face was flushed, and made her look more lovely than ever.

“Perhaps.  Of course we profess to adore every pretty woman,” Leon added abruptly.  “But, my dear sister, what a charming ladies’ maid you have!” He approached the corner, where Anielka sat, and bent on her a coarse familiar smile.  Anielka, although a serf, was displeased, and returned it with a glance full of dignity.  But when her eyes rested on the youth’s handsome face, a feeling, which had been gradually and silently growing in her young and inexperienced heart, predominated over her pride and displeasure.  She wished ardently to recall herself to Leon’s memory, and half unconsciously raised her hand to the little purse which always hung round her neck.  She took from it the rouble he had given her.

“See!” shouted Leon, “what a droll girl; how proud she is of her riches!  Why, girl, you are a woman of fortune, mistress of a whole rouble!”

“I hope she came by it honestly,” said the old Countess, who at this moment entered.

At this insinuation, shame and indignation kept Anielka, for a time, silent.  She replaced the money quickly in its purse, with the bitter thought that the few happy moments which had been so indelibly stamped upon her memory, had been utterly forgotten by Leon.  To clear herself, she at last stammered out, seeing they all looked at her inquiringly, “Do you not remember, M. Leon, that you gave me this coin two years ago in the garden"?”

“How odd!” exclaimed Leon, laughing, “do you expect me to remember all the pretty girls to whom I have given money?  But I suppose you are right, or you would not have treasured up this unfortunate rouble as if it were a holy relic.  You should not be a miser, child; money is made to be spent.”

“Pray put an end to these jokes,” said Constantia impatiently; “I like this girl, and I will not have her teased.  She understands my ways better than any one, and often puts me in a good humor with her beautiful voice.”

“Sing something for me pretty damsel,” said Leon, “and I will give you another rouble, a new and shining one.”

“Sing instantly,” said Constantia imperiously.

At this command Anielka could no longer stifle her grief; she covered her face with her hands, and wept violently.

“Why do you cry?” asked her mistress impatiently; “I cannot bear it; I desire you to do as you are bid.”