possession, and
to feel that no one can come between us, or interfere with my wishes
concerning you."

She laughed gayly. "A la bonne heure! You ARE a lover without knowing
it! Your dignity will not allow you to believe that you are actually in
love with me, but in spite of yourself you ARE--you know you are!"

I stood before her in almost somber silence. At last I said: "If YOU
say so, contessa, then it must be so. I have had no experience in
affairs of the heart, as they are called, and I find it difficult to
give a name to the feelings which possess me; I am only conscious of a
very strong wish to become the absolute master of your destiny." And
involuntarily I clinched my hand as I spoke. She did not observe the
action, but she answered the words with a graceful bend of the head and
a smile.

"I could not have a better fortune," she said, "for I am sure my
destiny will be all brightness and beauty with YOU to control and guide
it!"

"It will be what you desire," I half muttered; then with an abrupt
change of manner I said: "I will wish you goodnight, contessa. It grows
late, and my state of health compels me to retire to rest early."

She rose from her seat and gave me a compassionate look.

"You are really a great sufferer then?" she inquired tenderly. "I am
sorry! But perhaps careful nursing will quite restore you. I shall be
so proud if I can help you to secure better health."

"Rest and happiness will no doubt do much for me," I answered, "still I
warn you, cara mia, that in accepting me as your husband you take a
broken-down man, one whose whims are legion and whose chronic state of
invalidism may in time prove to be a burden on your young life. Are you
sure your decision is a wise one?"

"Quite sure!" she replied firmly. "Do I not LOVE you! And you will not
always be ailing--you look so strong."

"I am strong to a certain extent," I said, unconsciously straightening
myself as I stood. "I have plenty of muscle as far as that goes, but my
nervous system is completely disorganized. I--why, what is the matter?
Are you ill?"

For she had turned deathly pale, and her eyes look startled and
terrified. Thinking she would faint, I extended my arms to save her
from falling, but she put them aside with an alarmed yet appealing
gesture.

"It is nothing," she murmured feebly, "a sudden giddiness--I
thought--no matter what! Tell me, are you not related to the Romani
family? When you drew yourself up just now