I ask you a simple question.

If you loved a man with your whole soul and heart, would you allow another man to stand beside you and stroke your hair, and say it was curly ?" The baroness burst out laughing.

"Do not laugh," he continued.

"Remember that I am in your power only so long as it pleases me to submit to you.

Do not abuse your advantage, or I will be capable of creating for myself situations quite as satisfactory as that of Italian master to the Signorina di Lira." "What do you mean ?" she asked, turning suddenly upon him.