go quite contrary to your relations like this, because they have
brought you up, but remember that marriage is an act which can
mean almost life or death to a woman, and that no human beings
have any right to coerce you in this matter. You are of age and so
am I, and we are only answerable to God and to the laws of our
countries, not to individuals."

"I will try to think of it like that," said Stella, greatly moved,
and then, with almost childish irrelevance, which touched him
deeply, she asked, "What must I call you, please?"

"Oh, you sweetest star!" he exclaimed, "do not tempt me too
strongly--I love you wildly and I want to fold you in my arms--and
explain everything with your little head here on my breast--but I
must not--must not yet. Call me Sasha--say it now that I may hear
its sound in your tender voice--and we must fly, fly back to the
lights--or I cannot answer for myself."

She whispered it softly, and a shiver ran through all his tall
frame--and he said, with tender masterfulness:

"Say, 'Sasha, I love,'" and this she did, also--and then he almost
brusquely placed her hand upon his arm, and led her among the
people, and so to her frowning relations, and then he bowed a
correct good-night.




CHAPTER V