ily quitted the
back of the sofa, threw himself down beside her and clasping her in his
arms drew her unresistingly upon his bosom. Once there she did not offer
to stir, but even nestled closer to him and pillowed her head on his
broad shoulder. The tumultuous beating of both their hearts was audible
amid the unbroken silence that ensued. With one hand the Viscount
tenderly smoothed her silken tresses, and his arm tightened around her
waist as if he had determined never to release her again.

"Your father, in his letter of this morning," said Giovanni finally,
"told me there was hope, that you did not look upon my addresses with
aversion, and that I had his leave to pay court to you and ascertain
your wishes from your own dear lips. I hastened here this evening, and
M. Dantes himself bade me seek you in this salon. I came on the wings of
love and found all my fondest hopes realized; that I possessed your
heart as you possessed mine. Oh! tell me, Zuleika, that this is not all
a dream, for it seems too delicious to be true!"

"It is reality, Giovanni, blessed reality," answered the young girl in a
low voice.

"And do you really love me with all your soul?"

"With all my soul, Giovanni!"

The ardent Italian showered a flood of burning kisses upon her forehead,
cheeks and lips, and she quivered like a leaf in his embrace. Then he
said, with a shade of anxiety in his tone:

"And your brother Esperance, is he disposed to look upon me with
approval? You know that in Rome he did not see fit to include me in the
number of his friends. We had a little difference, you will remember,
and ever afterwards he was cold toward me."

Zuleika shuddered as she recalled the fact that the little difference
alluded to had been a violent quarrel that had nearly resulted in a duel
between the two young men. She had never known the details, for both her
brother and Giovanni had studiously concealed them from her; indeed,
Esperance had carefully avoided all mention of the Viscount's name ever
since the day they had become embroiled. Was M. Dantes aware of the
trouble between his son and the youthful Italian? She did not know, but,
at the same time, felt firmly persuaded that her father had fully
investigated the doings, character and family of her suitor, and would
not have sanctioned a renewal of his addresses to her had he not been
perfectly satisfied in every respect. She, therefore, answered:

"I am altogether ignorant as to what Esp