no, not
for all the world!"

"You are very amiable," I answered, "more so than I deserve. I hope I
may prove worthy of your tenderness! But to return to the subject of
the jewels. I wish you to see them for yourself and choose the best
among them. Will you come with me to-morrow night? and I will show you
where they are."

She laughed sweetly.

"Are you a miser, Cesare?--and have you some secret hiding-place full
of treasure like Aladdin?"

I smiled.

"Perhaps I have," I said. "There are exceptional cases in which one
fears to trust even to a bank. Gems such as those I have to offer you
are almost priceless, and it would be unwise, almost cruel to place
such tempting toys within the reach of even an honest man. At any rate,
if I have been something of a miser, it is for your sake, for your sake
I have personally guarded the treasure that is to be your bridal gift.
You cannot blame me for this?"

In answer she threw her fair arms round my neck and kissed me. Strive
against it as I would, I always shuddered at the touch of her lips--a
mingled sensation of loathing and longing possessed me that sickened
while it stung my soul.

"Amor mio!" she murmured. "As if _I_ could blame you! You have no
faults in my estimation of you. You are good, brave and generous--the
best of men; there is only one thing I wish sometimes--" Here she
paused, and her brow knitted itself frowningly, while a puzzled, pained
expression came into her eyes.

"And that one thing is?" I inquired.

"That you did not remind me so often of Fabio," she said, abruptly and
half angrily. "Not when you speak of him, I do not mean that. What I
mean is, that you have ways like his. Of course I know there is no
actual resemblance, and yet--" She paused again, and again looked
troubled.

"Really, carina mia," I remarked, lightly and jestingly, "you embarrass
me profoundly! This fancy of yours is a most awkward one for me. At the
convent where I visited you, you became quite ill at the contemplation
of my hand, which you declared was like the hand of your deceased
husband; and now--this same foolish idea is returning, when I hoped it
had gone, with other morbid notions of an oversensitive brain, forever.
Perhaps you think I am your late husband?"

And I laughed aloud! She trembled a little, but soon laughed also.

"I know I am very absurd," she said, "perhaps I am a little nervous and
unstrung: I have had too much excitement lately. Tell me more about