"Of course... My time is my own. We have no matinee, and I have nothing to do except in the evening."
They had reached her home. It looked very dark and very uninviting. She shivered as she took her latchkey from the bag which she was carrying.
"Come in with me, please, while I light the gas," she begged. "It looks so dreary, doesn't it?"
"You ought to have some one with you," he declared, "especially in a part like this."
"Oh, I am not really afraid," she answered. "I am only lonely."
He stood in the passage while she felt for a box of matches and lit the gas jet. In the parlor there was a bowl of milk standing waiting for her, and some bread.
"Thank you so much," she said. "Now I am going to make up the fire and read for a short time. I hope that you will enjoy your supper--well, moderately," she added, with a little laugh.
"I can promise you," he answered, "that I shall enjoy it no more than last night's or to-morrow night's."
She sighed.
"Poor little me!" she exclaimed. "It is not fair to have to compete with Mademoiselle Idiale. Good night!"
Something he saw in her eyes moved him strangely as he turned away.
"Would you like me," he asked hesitatingly, "supposing I get away early--would you like me to come in and say good night to you later on?"
Her face was suddenly flushed with joy.
"Oh, do!" she begged. "Do!"
He turned away with a smile.
"Very well," he said. "Don't shut up just yet and I will try."
"I shall stay here until three o'clock," she declared,--"until four, even. You must come. Remember, you must come. See."
She held out to him her key.
"I can knock at the door," he protested. "You would hear me."
"But I might fall asleep," she answered. "I am afraid. If you have the key, I am sure that you will come."
He put it in his waistcoat pocket with a laugh.
"Very well," he said, "if it is only for five minutes, I will come."