me, supple and delicate as a white iris swaying in the
wind. "You never gave him reason to hope--therefore he has no cause of
complaint."

"True!" she replied, readily, with an untroubled smile. "But I am such
a nervous creature! I am always imagining evils that never happen. And
now, Cesare, when do you wish me to go to the convent?"

I shrugged my shoulders with an air of indifference.

"Your submission to my will, mia bella" I said, coldly, "is altogether
charming, and flatters me much, but I am not your master--not yet! Pray
choose your own time, and suit your departure to your own pleasure."

"Then," she replied, with an air of decision, "I will go today. The
sooner the better--for some instinct tells me that Guido will play us a
trick and return before we expect him. Yes--I will go to-day."

I rose to take my leave. "Then you will require leisure to make your
preparations," I said, with ceremonious politeness. "I assure you I
approve your resolve. If you inform the superioress of the convent that
I am your betrothed husband, I suppose I shall be permitted to see you
when I call?"

"Oh, certainly!" she replied. "The dear nuns will do anything for me.
Their order is one of perpetual adoration, and their rules are very
strict, but they do not apply them to their old pupils, and I am one of
their great favorites."

"Naturally!" I observed. "And will you also join in the service of
perpetual adoration?"

"Oh, yes!"

"It needs an untainted soul like yours," I said, with a satirical
smile, which she did not see, "to pray before the unveiled Host without
being conscience-smitten! I envy you your privilege. _I_ could not do
it--but YOU are probably nearer to the angels than we know. And so you
will pray for me?"

She raised her eyes with devout gentleness. "I will indeed!"

"I thank you!"--and I choked back the bitter contempt and disgust I had
for her hypocrisy as I spoke--"I thank you heartily--most heartily!
Addio!"

She came or rather floated to my side, her white garments trailing
about her and the gold of her hair glittering in the mingled glow of
the firelight and the wintery sunbeams that shone through the window.
She looked up--a witch-like languor lay in her eyes--her red lips
pouted.

"Not one kiss before you go?" she said.

CHAPTER XXI.

FOR a moment I lost my self-possession. I scarcely remember now what I
did. I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms--I know that I
kissed he