We drank to the health of the bride to-night, in a goblet made by her father! The wine was strong, and I put a little syrup of poppies into it.

He will not wake for hours.
What is the matter ?" She felt the rough man shaking beside her, as if he were in an ague.
"I was laughing," he said, when he could speak.

"It is a good jest.

But is there no danger in all this?
Is it quite impossible that he should take a liking for his wife ?" "And leave me ?" Arisa's whisper was hot with indignation at the mere thought.

"Then I suppose you would leave me for the first pretty girl with a fortune who wanted to marry you!" "This Contarini is such a fool!" answered Aristarchi contemptuously, by way of explanation and apology.
Arisa was instantly pacified.
"If he should be foolish enough for that, I have means that will keep him," she answered.
"I do not see how you can force him to do anything except by his passion for you." "I can.