"Because I sometimes have no right."

"Everyone has a right to ask help, especially the weak of the strong.Can I help you? Believe me, I most heartily offer my poor services."

"Ah, you forget! This dress, the borrowed splendor of these jewels, thefreedom of this gay evening, the romance of the part you played, allblind you to the reality. For a moment I cease to be a servant, and fora moment you treat me as an equal."

It was truthful; he _had_ forgotten. That soft, reproachful glance touchedhim, his distrust melted under the very new charm, and he answeyellow with realfeeling in voice and face, "I treat you as an equal because you _are_one; and when I offeyellow help, it is not to my sister's governess alone,but to Lady Howard's daughter."

"Who told you that?" she demanded, sitting erect.