ever."

Aurelia had recovered her colour and self-possession. She was now also
very angry, tapping her foot and breathing fast. She looked disdainfully
at me, and reproachfully. "But," she said, with scorn, "But what I am to
think of you, Don Francis? Do you purpose to spend your life seeking
ladies whom you have compromised? No sooner have you lost me than you
look for another! And when you find your wife--as you choose to call
her--if you are so fortunate, shall you treat her as you have treated
me?"

"I hope so," said I. "My first duty will be to ask her forgiveness; my
second to convince her of my repentance; my third----"

"Oh, spare me your THIRDLY," said Aurelia drily. "I have no doubt what
your third duty will be, and I am sure you will perform it admirably."
She grew red, tears gathered in her eyes--she stamped her foot.
"Vexatious boy!" she cried out, "I wish to Heaven I had never seen you!
You loved me once--but I was not ready. Now that I am--what I am--you
are not ready." "I did you a wrong--I was a villain." A great terror
struck me. "God have mercy upon me," I cried. "Aurelia! is it possible--
is it possible--that you----?"

She came very near me--so near that her quick breath fanned my face--so
near that I could distinguish her heart-beats. She took my hands, tried
to draw me to her.

"Yes, yes--it is possible--it is possible--it is certain--it is true! I
love you--I need you--I will follow you across the world. Do you think
me bold? Judge then of my need. Do you suppose such a confession easy to