that I believe myself incapable of doing. Whatever my feeling, nay,
whatever my love, for a woman, I would never do so infamous a thing as to
try and persuade her to join her life to mine. I know too well to what I
should be exposing her--to what possible misery, nay, to what probable
degradation! After all, a man is free to go to the devil alone--but he
has no right to drag a woman there with him!"

His voice had sunk to a hoarse whisper, and he was gazing into Sylvia's
pale face with an anguished look of questioning and of pleading pain.

"I think that is true, Count Paul." Sylvia heard herself uttering gently,
composedly, the words which meant at once so much and so little to them
both. "It is a pity that all men do not feel about this as you do," she
concluded mechanically.

"I felt sure you would agree with me," he answered slowly.

"Ought we not to be going back to the villa? I am expecting Mr. Chester
to lunch, and though I know it is quite early, he has got into the way,
these last few days, of coming early."

Her words stung him in his turn.

"Stop!" he said roughly. "Do not go yet, Mrs. Bailey." He muttered
between his teeth, "Mr. Chester's turn will come!" And then aloud, "Is
this to be the end of everything--the end of our--our friendship? I shall
leave Lacville to-night for I do not care to stay on here after you have
taunted me with having come back to see you!"

Sylvia gave a little cry of protest.