it was not so! I was not unhappy at the convent, but one day I was
sent for and bidden prepare for a journey. Some relatives had sent for
me, and I was to go. And to where? It was to Cruta! Paul, it was old
Count of Cruta who claimed me. I cannot tell you anything of the time
I spent there, shut up in the gloomy castle; it was horrible beyond
all words. Even the memory of it makes me shudder. If only I could
tell you! But I must not! I can tell you this, though. In less than
six months I felt myself going mad; and one night I stole down to the
beach and unfastened a small boat and rowed away, scarcely caring what
happened to me so that I could but escape from that awful place.
It was a desperate chance. I was out all day without food or water,
rowing and drifting until Cruta lay like a speck in the distance. Then
by chance I was picked up by an English yacht, and they brought me to
London. I arrived there helpless and miserable, and, ah! how lonely!
I dared not go back to the convent for fear I should be sent back to
Cruta. There was only you. I went to your bankers, and they told me
that you were abroad--on the Continent. By chance they asked me there
my name, and by chance again I told them it truthfully. They told me
that they had money for me there. I had only to sign a receipt, and
they gave me more than I asked for--ten times more. Then I remembered
the address of an English girl who had been at the convent with me,
and she gave me a home for a time. It was through her dancing mistress
that I became--a dancing girl. I have told you this, Paul, because I
want you to promise me not to go to Cruta. It is an evil place. They
are mad there. Promise me!"

He looked at me gravely and very tenderly; but his tone was firm.
"Adrea, it is necessary that I go there," he said. "I cannot rest for
a moment until I know for certain whether a story which I have just
been told is a true one. The proof lies in Cruta! It is no whim which
is taking me there! I must go!"

My heart was sick with dread. Yet what could I do? I said nothing;
only I covered my face with my hands and wept.

"Adrea, you are a foolish child!" he said, bending over me. "What is
there for me to fear at Cruta? Look up and tell me!"

I shook my head. "You would not heed me," I answered sadly. "I dare
not tell you. But there is one thing," I added hastily. "Will you do
it for me simply because I ask you?"

"If it be possible, yes!"

I stood still on a little