hasis. "He is rough and
ill-mannered; I have seen him the worse for wine, sometimes he is
insufferable! I am afraid of him!"

I glanced at her quietly. Her face had paled, and her hands, which were
busied with some silken embroidery, trembled a little.

"In that case," I continued, slowly, "though I am sorry for Ferrari,
poor fellow! he will be immensely disappointed! I confess I am glad in
other respects, because--"

"Because what?" she demanded, eagerly. "Why," I answered, feigning a
little embarrassment, "because there will be more chance for other men
who may seek to possess the hand of the accomplished and beautiful
Contessa Romani."

She shook her fair head slightly. A transient expression of
disappointment passed over her features.

"The 'other men' you speak of, conte, are not likely to indulge in such
an ambition," she said, with a faint sigh; "more especially," and her
eyes flashed indignantly, "since Signor Ferrari thinks it his duty to
mount guard over me. I suppose he wishes to keep me for himself--a most
impertinent and foolish notion! There is only one thing to do--I shall
leave Naples before he returns."

"Why?" I asked.

She flushed deeply. "I wish to avoid him," she said, after a little
pause; "I tell you frankly, he has lately given me much cause for
annoyance. I will not be persecuted by his attentions; and as I before
said to you, I am often afraid of him. Under YOUR protection I know I
am quite safe, but I cannot always enjoy that--"

The moment had come. I advanced a step or two.

"Why not?" I said. "It rests entirely with yourself."

She started and half rose from her chair--her work dropped from her
hands.

"What do you mean, conte?" she faltered, half timidly, yet anxiously;
"I do not understand!"

"I mean what I say," I continued in cool hard tones, and stooping, I
picked up her work and restored it to her; "but pray do not excite
yourself! You say you cannot always enjoy my protection; it seems to me
that you can--by becoming my wife."

"Conte!" she stammered. I held up my hand as a sign to her to be silent.

"I am perfectly aware," I went on in business-like accents--"of the
disparity in years that exists between us. I have neither youth,
health, or good looks to recommend me to you. Trouble and bitter
disappointment have made me what I am. But I have wealth which is
almost inexhaustible--I have position and influence--and beside these
things"--and here I looked at her ste