ng the ruins.'

'How very poetical!' she said, with a little choking laugh, unknown
relentings, unfamiliar softnesses, moving within her. 'What would you be
at?' she added, hardening her voice.

'I would be at this,' he answered; 'and hard it is to say. I would be at
this:--Seraphina, I am your husband after all, and a poor fool that loves
you. Understand,' he cried almost fiercely, 'I am no suppliant husband;
what your love refuses I would scorn to receive from your pity. I do not
ask, I would not take it. And for jealousy, what ground have I? A
dog-in-the-manger jealousy is a thing the dogs may laugh at. But at
least, in the world's eye, I am still your husband; and I ask you if you
treat me fairly? I keep to myself, I leave you free, I have given you in
everything your will. What do you in return? I find, Seraphina, that
you have been too thoughtless. But between persons such as we are, in
our conspicuous station, particular care and a particular courtesy are
owing. Scandal is perhaps not easy to avoid; but it is hard to bear.'

'Scandal!' she cried, with a deep breath. 'Scandal! It is for this you
have been driving!'

'I have tried to tell you how I feel,' he replied. 'I have told you that
I love you--love you in vain--a bitter thing for a husband; I have laid
myself open that I might speak without offence. And now that I have
begun, I will go on and finish.'

'I demand it,' she said. 'What is this about?'

Otto flushed crimson. 'I have to say what I would fain not,' he
answered. 'I counsel you to see less of Gondremark.'

'Of Gondremark? And why?' she asked.

'Your intimacy is the ground of scandal, madam,' said Otto, firmly
enough--'of a scandal that is agony to me, and would be crushing to your
parents if they knew it.'

'You are the first to bring me word of it,' said she. 'I thank you.'

'You have perhaps cause,' he replied. 'Perhaps I am the only one among
your friends--'

'O, leave my friends alone,' she interrupted. 'My friends are of a
different stamp. You have come to me here and made a parade of
sentiment. When have I last seen you? I have governed your kingdom for
you in the meanwhile, and there I got no help. At last, when I am weary
with a man's work, and you are weary of your playthings, you return to
make me a scene of conjugal reproaches--the grocer and his wife! The
positions are too much reversed; and you should understand, at least,
that I cannot at the sa