of perpetual
banishment she stood before him, brilliant, inconsequent, carefully
dressed in her usual fanciful garb--the very jessamines in her hair
lusciously over-sweet--with no hint of regret in face or manner--her old
fire-fly self.

"Our time is short, Dama Ecciva," he reminded her at length, when she
had chosen a cushioned corner and sat toying with a bunch of wild
orchids--seemingly forgetful of his presence, as of her summons. "We are
alone: and if thou hast a confidence to make--'of import to the
State'----"

"The time is long enough for our needs, Eccellentissimo," she retorted,
with a rippling laugh. "Verily, I like these wild blooms better than Her
Majesty's choice favorites--this orchid hath a face well-nigh human--but
overwise; I scarce need tell it--as to thee--that the sailing of the
galley was my device to bring thee quickly."

He bit his lip to hold back his impatient speech, for she might not be
dealt with as other women, by any appeal to trust or reason.

"Wherefore 'quickly'," he answered her, "since there is time?"

She looked up in surprise at having missed the expected reproof for
which she was already fashioning a saucy reply, and her mood changed
suddenly.

"Nay, nay, there is not time," she cried passionately, stretching out
her hands to him. "There is _not_ time! Though it be not to-night, it
may be to-morrow--who knoweth? And it is forever--forever and ever!
Caro Signore, art thou not a little sorry for me?"

She looked like a child as she made this appeal, and his heart smote him
for his coldness, for she was truly suffering. His sudden sympathy
brought a new note of tenderness to his voice.

"So sorry," he said, as he took her hand in a compassionate clasp. "So
sorry--that only duty to our land of Cyprus stayeth me from seeking that
thy weary penance be lightened. If I might, I would help thee."

"_Our land of Cyprus!_ and thou a Venetian!" she cried triumphantly, her
rainbow face flashing smiles, "and how, caro Signore--_carissimo
Signore_--if 'duty to our land of Cyprus' should bid thee help me?"

"It is some new intrigue of which thou hast knowledge?" he questioned,
striving to hold her thoughts in one direction.

"Is not the one for which I stand here, and which will send me hence,
enough," she answered tantalizingly, "that thou wouldst have more?"

"If it be but for whim of speech that thou hast summoned me," he said
rising, knowing well that she would yield nothing to p