You wish me to keep our engagement secret ?" She thought for a moment, then answered musingly: "For the present perhaps it would be best.

Though," and she laughed, "it would be delightful to see all the other women jealous and envious of my good fortune! Still, if the news were told to any of our friends--who knows ?--it might accidentally reach Guido, and--" "I understand! You may rely upon my discretion.

Good-night, contessa!" "You may call me Nina," she murmured, softly.
"NINA, then," I said, with some effort, as I lightly kissed her.
"Good-night!--may your dreams be of me!" She responded to this with a gratified smile, and as I left the room she waved her hand in a parting salute.

My diamonds flashed on it like a small circlet of fire; the light shed through the rose-colored lamps that hung from the painted ceiling fell full on her exquisite loveliness, softening it into ethereal radiance and delicacy, and when I strode forth from the house into the night air heavy with the threatening gloom of coming tempest, the picture of that fair face and form flitted before me like a mirage--the glitter of her hair flashed on my vision like little snakes of fire--her lithe hands seemed to beckon me--her lips had left a scorching heat on mine.

Distracted with the thoughts that tortured me, I walked on and on for hours.