* * * *

It is done; I have taken poison! In half an hour I shall be dead! Oh!
Paul, my love, my love, come to me! If I could only die in your
arms, if I could only feel once more your kisses upon my lips! It is
horrible to die alone! Already I feel weaker! Oh! if there be a God
in heaven, send me Paul just for one last moment! I do not ask for
forgiveness or pardon, only send me Paul! I am afraid to die alone!
Never to see him again! Oh! I shall cry out! Paul! Paul! come to me! I
do not ask for heaven, only to die in his arms, to----

* * * * *

There were sounds upon the stairs, and in the hall; the sounds of a
man's quick entrance and approach. Adrea, with that passionate
prayer still quivering upon her lips, dragged herself to the door and
listened. A moment's agonised apprehension, and then she staggered
back, faint with joy. The door was opened, and quickly closed; Paul
stood before her.

"Oh! my love! my love," she murmured. "Take me in your arms! It is for
the last time!"

He moved to her side, and supported her. "Adrea," he said quietly, "I
want you to change your things quickly, and come with me. There is
a carriage at the door, and I have chartered a steamer to take us to
Genoa. From there we can sail to-morrow for New York. Gomez was right;
you are in danger here! Be brave, little woman, and all will be well!"

She clung to him passionately, with her arms locked around his neck,
and her wet face close to his. Only a confused sense of his words
reached her. His tone and his embrace were sufficient.

"And you?"

"I go with you, of course! We shall begin a new life in a new world!
Come! We have no time to lose!"

"A new life in a new world." She repeated the words dreamily, still
holding him to her. Then a sudden dizziness came. It passed away, but
it reminded her that the end could not be far off.

"Adrea, do you not understand? How cold your lips are! Try and bear
up, love! We have a long journey before us!"

She shook her head slowly. He began to notice that she was like a dead
weight in his arms.

"It is a long journey, love, but I go alone. You cannot come, Paul!
Yet I am not afraid, now that you are here!"

"Adrea! what do you mean? I will not leave you! Have courage! Adrea!
Soon we shall leave all dangers behind us!"

"Paul! do you not understand? I am dying!"

Dying! He looked at her face, calm and even smiling, but terribly
blanc