t such thoughts as these are
impracticable. You would not, in a reasonable moment, ask your
godfather to bury three thousand florins in addition to what he has
already paid on the library. I think your pride and delicacy would
shrink from that."

She began to tremble and turn cold again with discouragement, and sank
down on the carved chest near which she was standing. He went on in a
clear voice, under which she shuddered, as if it had been a narrow cold
stream coursing over a hot cheek.

"Moreover, it is not my will that Messer Bernardo should advance the
money, even if the project were not an utterly wild one. And I beg you
to consider, before you take any step or utter any word on the subject,
what will be the consequences of your placing yourself in opposition to
me, and trying to exhibit your husband in the odious light which your
own distempered feelings cast over him. What object will you serve by
injuring me with Messer Bernardo? The event is irrevocable, the library
is sold, and you are my wife."

Every word was spoken for the sake of a calculated effect, for his
intellect was urged into the utmost activity by the danger of the
crisis. He knew that Romola's mind would take in rapidly enough all the
wide meaning of his speech. He waited and watched her in silence.

She had turned her eyes from him, and was looking on the ground, and in
that way she sat for several minutes. When she spoke, her voice was
quite altered,--it was quiet and cold.

"I have one thing to ask."

"Ask anything that I can do without injuring us both, Romola."

"That you will give me that portion of the money which belongs to my
godfather, and let me pay him."

"I must have some assurance from you, first, of the attitude you intend
to take towards me."

"Do you believe in assurances, Tito?" she said, with a tinge of
returning bitterness.

"From you, I do."

"I will do you no harm. I shall disclose nothing. I will say nothing
to pain him or you. You say truly, the event is irrevocable."

"Then I will do what you desire to-morrow morning."

"To-night, if possible," said Romola, "that we may not speak of it
again."

"It is possible," he said, moving towards the lamp, while she sat still,
looking away from him with absent eyes.

Presently he came and bent down over her, to put a piece of paper into
her hand. "You will receive something in return, you are aware, my
Romola?" he said, gently, not minding so much wh