But since he will not let you go, what will you do?
Will you cease to love me, at his orders ?" "Oh, Nino, never, never, never!" "But will you stay here, to die of solitude and slow torture ?" He pleaded passionately.
"I--I suppose so, Nino," she said, in a choking sob.
"Now, by Heaven, you shall not!" He clasped her in his arms, raising her suddenly to her feet.

Her head fell back upon his shoulder, and he could see her turn pale to the very lips, for his sight was softened to the gloom, and her eyes shone like stars of fire at him from beneath the half-closed lids.

But the faint glory of coming happiness was already on her face, and he knew that the last fight was fought for love's mastery.
"Shall we ever part again, love ?" he whispered, close to her.

She shook her head, her starry eyes still fastened on his.
"Then come, my own dear one,--come," and he gently drew her with him.
He glanced, naturally enough, at the step where they had sat, and something dark caught his eye just above it.

Holding her hand in one of his, as though fearful lest she should escape him, he stooped quickly and snatched the thing from the stair with the other.