As much as one ever loves a husband! What does one marry for at all?
For convenience--money--position--he gave me these things, as you know." "You will gain nothing by marrying me, then," he said, jealously.
She laughed, and laid her little white hand, glittering with rings, lightly against his lips.
"Of course not! Besides--have I said I will marry you?
You are very agreeable as a lover--but otherwise--I am not sure! And I am free now--I can do as I like; I want to enjoy my liberty, and--" She was not allowed to complete her sentence, for Ferrari snatched her close to his breast and held her there as in a vise.

His face was aflame with passion.
"Look you, Nina," he said, hoarsely, "you shall not fool me, by Heaven! you shall not! I have endured enough at your hands, God knows! When I saw you for the first time on the day of your marriage with that poor fool, Fabio--I loved you, madly--ay, wickedly as I then thought, but not for the sin of it did I repent.

I knew you were woman, not angel, and I waited my time.

It came--I sought you--I told you my story of love ere three months of wedded life had passed ever your head.

I found you willing--ready--nay, eager to hear me! You led me on; you know you did! You tempted me by touch, word and look; you gave me all I sought! Why try to excuse it now?
You are as much my wife as ever you were Fabio's--nay--you are more so, for you love me--at least you say so--and though you lied to your husband, you dare not lie to me.