CHAPTER XXI.
"Let us sit upon the step and talk," said Hedwig, gently disengaging herself from his arms.
"The hour is advancing, and it is damp here, my love.

You will be cold," said Nino, protesting against delay as best he could.
"No; and I must talk to you." She sat down, but Nino pulled off his cloak and threw it round her.

She motioned him to sit beside her, and raised the edge of the heavy mantle with her hand.

"I think it is big enough," said she.
"I think so," returned Nino; and so the pair sat side by side and hand in hand, wrapped in the same garment, deep in the shadow of the rocky doorway.

"You got my letter, dearest ?" asked Nino, hoping to remind her of his proposal.
"Yes, it reached me safely.