ed; but in the life
she had once lived less delicate cognizance was taken of such things,
and something of it stayed.

"Listen," Jethro said with sudden lowering of the voice, and imparting
into his tones an emotion which was in part an actor's gift, but also in
large degree a passion now eating at his heart, "you are my wife by all
the laws of our people. Nothing can change it. I have waited for you,
and I will wait, but you shall be mine in the end. You see to-night--'Mi
Duvel', you see that fate is with me! The Gorgio has bewitched you. He
goes down to-night in that tavern there by the hand of a Gorgio, and the
Romany has his revenge. Fate is always with me, and I will be the gift
of the gods to the woman that takes me. The luck is mine always. It will
be always with me. I am poor to-day, I shall be rich to-morrow. I was
rich, and I lost it all; and I was poor, and became rich again. Ah, yes,
there are ways! Sometimes it is a Government, sometimes a prince that
wants to know, and Jethro Fawe, the Romany, finds it out, and money
fills his pockets. I am here, poor, because last year when I lost all,
I said, 'It is because my Romany lass is not with me. I have not brought
her to my tan, but when she comes then the gold will be here as before,
and more when it is wanted.' So, I came, and I hear the road calling,
and all the camping places over all the world, and I see the patrins in
every lane, and my heart is lifted up. I am glad. I rejoice. My heart
burns with love. I will forget everything, and be true to the queen of
my soul. Men die, and Gabriel Druse, he will die one day, and when the
time comes, then it would be that you and I would beckon, and all the
world would come to us."

He stretched out a hand to her in the half-darkness. "I send the blood
of my heart to you," he continued. "I am a son of kings. Fleda, daughter
of the Ry of Rys, come to me. I have been bad, but I can be good. I have
killed, but I will live at peace. I have cursed, but I will speak the
word of blessing. I have trespassed, but I will keep to my own, if you
will come to me."

Suddenly he dropped to the ground, lighting on his feet like an animal
with a soft rebound. Stretching up his arms, he made soft murmuring of
endearment.

She had listened, fascinated in spite of herself by the fire and meaning
of his words. She felt that in most part it was true, that it was meant;
and, whatever he was, he was yet a man offering his heart and life,