"As if anything could make me do that! Don't you know--you may
not, but let me assure you, Countess--that nothing could happen to
shake me in the high opinion I have of you. Come what may, I shall
trust you, believe in you, think well of you--always."

"How sweet of you to say that! and now, of all times," she
murmured quite softly, and looking up for the first time, shyly,
to meet his eyes.

Her hand was still on his arm, covered by his, and she nestled so
close to him that it was easy, natural, indeed, for him to slip
his other arm around her waist and draw her to him.

"And now--of all times--may I say one word more?" he whispered in
her ear. "Will you give me the right to shelter and protect you,
to stand by you, share your troubles, or keep them from you--?"

"No, no, no, indeed, not now!" She looked up appealingly, the
tears brimming up in her bright eyes. "I cannot, will not accept
this sacrifice. You are only speaking out of your true-hearted
chivalry. You must not join yourself to me, you must not involve
yourself--"

He stopped her protests by the oldest and most effectual method
known in such cases. That first sweet kiss sealed the compact so
quickly entered into between them.

And after that she surrendered at discretion. There was no more
hesitation or reluctance; she accepted his love as he had offered
it, freely, with whole heart and soul, crept up under his