THE NOVELIST. Chapter X. The Mystery of Gemma,

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 41

THE NOVELIST.

Chapter X. The Mystery of Gemma,

[Published by Special Arrangement.]

THE DAY OF TEMPTATION. A. SEOBX OF TWO CITIES.

By WILLIAM LE QVEUX, Author of " Whoso Pindeth a Wife," " The Great War in England in i 897," " The Eye of istar," -"if Sinners jintice Thee," "Zoraida,-" " Guilty Bonds," " devil's Dice," ''A Secret Service," &c, &c.

[Copyright.]

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

1 Chafteks lane ll.— Dr Filippo MTalvano, an f. alien residing in England, is entertaining' at his

hour.a in Rutlandshire a foreigner, Amoldo Romai elli. They are talkiiig in tones of mystery of tho dreaded presence in England of a certain lady, Vitiorina, who would be fatal to their

plans and safety. It is arranged tbat Roaianelli shall gc to the Continent to, if possible, intercept Vittorina, As they are talking a telegram is delivered to the foreigner which, causes some

alarm That s<srn.e night the Paris train arrived at Ct ariag Cross, bringing amongst the passengers Captain Frank Tristram, one of Queen. Victoria's foreign messengers, and Signorina Vittcrina RinaLdo. After a few words with Major Maitland he hails a cab and places the lady in it. They drive to the Criterion, and Tristiam alighting, passed into the room and vanished. Then the cabman looking at Lis charge, discovers that she is dead. Chapters 111 and IV.— An inquest was held on the body of the lady, and an examination of her belongings showed a letter in Italian giving instructions for her stay in. London., and strange to say a photograph of the. Major who spoke to Tristram and heiself on arrival at

Charing Cross. An open verdict is returned.

Chaptebs V .\sd VI. — Dr Malvano, Tristram and the Major are all excited by the news of the death of Vittorina. Tristram is. ordered away to Italy. In Tuscany a young native of Florence, G-eniraa Fanetti, is loved by Charles Armytage, a young English gentleman. Cap-

tain Tristram, is a secret acquaintance of G-emma, and she accuses him of having betrayed, her secret and that of Vittorina, from whom she says she has not heard since she

left for England.

Chapters VII and VIU. — Dr Malvano, dis- , guised as a waiter at an. Italian restaurant, pays a visit to the Countess of Marshfield', to whom <• he- imparts the - information that G-emma is about to be married to. Charles Armytage. Her ladysliip 1 sa.ys they must be parted at all costs, , or. their secret is not safe.

Chatter IX.

Beneath the Red, White, and Blue. UG-UST passed slowly but gaily v in Leghorn. The town lay white beneath the fiery sun-gTare through those blazing breathi less hours, the cloudless sky was of that intense blue which one usually associates with Italy, and by day the deserted Passeggio of tamarisks and ilexes beside the almost wavewas for ever enlivened by

the chirp of that unseen harbin- [ ger of heat, the cicale. Soon, however, the season waned, the stormy libeccio t blew frequently,- rendering out-door exercise, \ impossible, but Charles Armytage still lin- | gered on at Gemma's side, driving with her { in the morning along the sea road to Ardenza \ and Antignano, or beyond as far as the high* t up villa in which lived and died Smollett, 1 the English historian, or ascending to the ■ venerated shrine of the Madonna of Mon- | tenero, the little place peeping forth white I and scattered on the green hillside overlooking the wide expanse of glassy sea. Their afternoons were usually spent amid the crowd of chatterers at Panclialdi's baths, and each , evening they dined together at one or other of the restaurants beside the sea. One morning in. September, when Ai-my-fcage's coffee was brought to his room at the 1 Grand Hotel, the waiter directed his attention to an official-looking note lying upon the tray. He liad just risen, and was standing at the window gazing out upon the distant islands indistinct in. the morning haze, and thinking of the words of assurance and affection his well-beloved had uttered before he had parted from her at the door after the theatre on the; previous night. Impatiently ' he .tore open the note and carelessly glanced ftJLfcke conienis,. T.h.e.iu with an e-spressioa

of surprise, he carefully re-read the letter, saying aloud : "Strange! I wonder whafc he wants?"

The note was a formal one bearing on a blue cameo official stamp the superscription " British Consulate, Leghorn," and ran us

follows : — " Dear Sir, — I shall be glad if you can maks it convenient to call at the Consulate this morning between 11 and 1, as I desire to speak to you upon an important and most piessing matter which I have reason to think concerns you nearly. Yours faithfully, John Hutchinson, her Majesty's Consul." " Hutchinsson," he repeated to himseli. "Is the consul here colled Hutchinson? It must be die Jack Hutchinson of whom Tristram spoke. He called him ' jovial Jack Hutchinson.' I wonder what's the pressing matter. Some infernal worry, I suppose. 'Perhaps some dun or ' other in town has written to him for my address." He paused, his eyes fixed seriously- upon the distant sea. " No," he exclaimed aloud at last. " Her

Majesty's consul must wait. I've promised to take Gemma driving this morning. I suppose this chap HutchinsoD is some dry-as-dust old fossil, or else some stupid, headswollen ass who sits in a frowsy office from 10 to 3, signs his name half-a-dozen times, smokes the best cigars, draws a handsome salary from the much-suffering British' tax-' payer, and scoops in any amount of fees. Good thing to be a consul!" and he tossed the letter upon the table, and sat down to his coffee. " Some of them are rum fellows, though. I particularly remember one down in a more southerly part of the Mediterranean as frowsy a frump as you could ever hope to meet," he added, sighing at the recollection.

Presently, when he had shaved and assumed his suit of cool white ducks the official letter again caught his eye, and he took lb up. '» " I suppose, after all, it's only decent behaviour to go round and see what's the matter," he muttered aloud. " Yes, I'll go, and drive with Gemma' afterwards."

Then he leisurely finished his toilet, strolled out into the Viale and, entering one of the little open cabs, was driven rapidly to the wide handsome Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, where on the front of a great old i palazzo at the further end were displayed a i flagstaff surmounted by the English crown and an escutcheon of the British Royal arms. The Union Jack waved from the 'flagstaff, for her Majesty's ships Anson and Vulcan were in port. The cathedral clock opposite showed that it was already half-pa&fc eleven, I and as he ascended the stairs he noticed that the approach to the Consulate of Leghorn was very much more imposing than those of the consulates he had had occasion to visit during his- many journeys east and west. On the first floor, passing through an entrance cf' bank -like appearance with its mahogany portals and glass door, he entered the first of a handsome suite 'of offices which cer-|-tainly did justice to the dignity and prestige of the greatest country in the world. On the walls were displayed the Royal arms, together with a few familiar " Notices to sea- | men," a huge and wonderful scale of consular | fees fixed by the "Foreign- Office, and a warni ing to all and sundry regarding the use of the I British flag. A tall, well-built, fiercemoustached Italian concierge, who looked as if he might once have been an elegant gendarme of the Prince of Monaco, inquired Uis

business and took his card into' an inner room on the right, the private office of the consul. After the lapse of a few minutes the concierge returned, and with ceremony ushered him into the presence of the representative of the British Foreign Office. The room was large, lofty, and airy, with windows overlooking the great Piazza, the centre of Livornese life. The furniture was antique and comfortable, and testified to the

taste of its. owner : the writing-table littered with documents clearly proved that the office of Consul at Leghorn was no sinecure, and the book-cases were stocked with weil-

selected and imposing works of reference. ' Over the fireplace hung a. large steel engraving of her Majesty, and on the mantelshelf some signed portraits of celebrities.

"You've enjoyed your stay in Leghorn, I hope," the consul observed rather stiffly, after inviting his visitor to a seat on the opposite side of his table. '"Very much," Armytage answered, sinking into the chair.

" You'll excuse me for one moment," the consul said, and scribbling something he touched the bell and the concierge summoned the Vice-Consul, a slim, tall young Englishman, to whom he- gave some directions. Contrary to Charles Armytage's expectations' Mr Consul Hutchinson had, notwithstanding his professional frigidity and gravity of manner, the easy-going, good-natured bearing of the genial man of the world. He was a fair, somewhat portly man, comfortably built, shaven save for a small well-trim-med moustache, the very picture of good health, whose face beamed with good humour, and in every line of whose countenance was good-fellowship betrayed. There were few skippers up or down Ihe Mediterranean — or seamen for the matter o* that— who did not know Consul Hutchinson at Leghorn, and who had not at some .time or another received little kindnesses at his hands. From '.VGib." to " Constant." Jack Hutchinson had the reputation of being the best, most good-natured and happiest of all her Majesty's consuls, devoted to duty, not to be trifled with certainly, but ever ready to render immediate assistance to the Englishman in difficulties.

" Well," he exclaimed, looking ' across at _ Arrnytage at last, when they were alone \ again. "I am glad you have called, because [ 1 have something to communicate in con£- [ dence to you." | "la confidence?" Armylage repea'ed, j puzzled. j Mr Consul Hutch inson. still presers-iaghis professional air of dignity as befitted his office, leaned one elbow on the table, and looking straight into the visitor's face said : (i The matter is a purely private and somewhat painful one. You will, T hope, excuse what I am about to say, for I assure you iS is in no spirit of presumption that I venture to speak to you. Remember, you are a British subject, and I am here in order 1,0 assist, sometimes even to advise, any subject I of her Majesty." I "I quite TOcler&tsaida" An#;rj&&29 said.,

mystified at the Consul's rather si *ang& manner. " Well," Hutchinson went on slowly and deliberately, "I am informed that you are acquainted with a lady here, in Leghorn, named Fanetii — Gemma Fanetti. Is t'aafc so?"" ||CertPhily. Why?" "How long have you known her? It it not out of idle curiosity that I ask." " Nearly seven months." " She is Florentine. I presume you mefe her in Florence?"

"Were you formally introduced by- any friend who knew her?"

" No," he answered,' after slight hesitation. "We met quite casually." " And you followed her here?" " No. We met here again accidentally. I had no idea she was in Leghorn. Since our first meeting I have been in London several months and had no knowledge of her address," he replied. "And you are, I take it, in ignorance of who she really is?" Hutchinson said, regarding -him with a calm, searching look and twisting his pen between his fingers. Armytage sat silent, for a few moments, fhen quickly recovering himself said" a trifle haughtily : ■ " I really don't think I am called upon to answer such a question. I cannot see any reason whatever for this cross examination regarding my private affairs." . " Well," the Consul exclaimed seriously, <f the reason is briefly this. It is an extremely painful matter, but I may as well explain at once. You are known by the authorities here to be an associate of this lady — Gemma Fanetti."

" What of that?" he cried, in surprise. " From what I can understand, this lady has a past — a past which the police have invesigated."

"The police! What do you mean.?" he cried, starting up. "Simply this," answered the Consul, gravely. " Yesterday I. received a call from the Questore, and he told me in. confidence that you, a British subject were the close associate of a lady whose past, if revealed, would be a. startling and unpleasant revelation to you, her friend. The authorities had, he further said, resolved to order her to leave Leghorn or remain on penalty of arrest, and in order that you, an English gentleman, might have time to end your acquaintance he suggested that it might be as well for me to warn you of what the- police intended doing.. It is- to do this that I have asked you here to-day." Armytage sat pale, silent, open-mouthed. Then- the police intend to hound the Si<vnorina Fanetti from Leghorn?" he observed blankly. " The Italian police possess power to expel summarily from a town any person of whom they have suspicion," the Consul replied, calmly. - "But what do they suspect?" he cried, bewildered. " You. speak as if she were some common criminal or adventuress."

" I have unfortunately no further knowledge of the discovery they have made regarding her. It must, however, be some serious allegation, or they would not go {.he length of expelling her from the city. " " But why should she be expelled?" lie protested, angrily. " She has committed no offence. Surely there is some protection for a defencless woman !"

Hutchinson raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders, an expressive gesture one soon acquires after residence in Italy. " The Queatore has supreme power in such a matter," he said. "Heis a very- just? aud , honourable official, and I am sure he would Merer -have- taken these steps to avoid you disgrace if there were not some very strong reasons." Charles Armytage, leaning upuii '■he edge of the Consul's table, held down his head in deep contemplation. " Then to-morrow they will order her to quit this place?" he observed thoughtfully. "It's unjust and brutal. Such treatment of a peaceful woman i& scandalous."

" But remember you've admitted that you have no knowledge of her past," Hutchinson said. "Is it not possible that the police have discovered some fact she has concealed from you?"

j " It's an infernal piece of tyrant:/ ! ' Armytage cried fiercely. " I suppose "the 'police have fabricated some extraordinary allegations against her, and want money ,io hush it up. They want to levy bJackmaiL ' . "STo, no," Jack Hutchinson said, his manner at once relaxing as -he rose amd crossed to the- window, his hands behind his back. "The position- is a simple "one-,", he continued, looking him straight in. the face. i " The police have evidently discovered tha'. I this lady is either not what she represent!. 1 | herself to be, or that some extraordinary | mystery is attached to her, therefore cut her i acquaintance, my dear sir. Take ray I advice. It will save you heaps of bother," ! "I can't,'" the other answered hoarsely. i " I'll never forsake her. "

" Not if she's hounded, from, town to town by the police, like this?" " No. I love her," he replied brokenly., Hutchinson sighed. A silence fell between them, deep and complete.

At last the Consul spoke in a grave tone. His professional air had l'elaxed, as it always did when he desired to assist an Englishman in distress.

" Before you love her," he suggested, " Avould it not be as well to ask her wixic chapter of her life she has concealed? If she really loves you she will no doubt tell you everything. Is it not an excellent test .'''

" B*it that will not alter the decision of the the Quessyre," Armytage observed wofully. "No. tide's t.rue. The lady must leave Lsghovii 'b's vfvotrng. Take my advice am! j part from I;e;." he added sympathetically. '"In a f ew uaeks you will forget. And if ; yon vfimid s*#.re her the disgrace of being j sent out of Leghorn urge her to leave of her 1 ,->wr. accord. If you will pledge your word ih%t she sii.-'ll leave to-day, T will at once sea r the Questore and beg him to suspend the f orders he is about to give." j " T love Gemma, and intend to marry i her."

" Surely not without a very clear knowledge of her past?" Already E have dsaideci to make her ivy .wife," Armytage said, his face set and pale. • " What the police may allege will not in* fl'uence me in any way/

"Ah! I fear you are hopelessly infatuated," Hutchinson observed.

"Yes, hopelessly." " Then I suppose you will leave Leghorn /with her? That she must go is absolutely imperative. In that case, if I may advise frou, I should certainly not only leav-s Leghorn, but Italy altogether." "What!" he cried indignantly. "Will the police of Milan or Venice act in the same fcoAvardly way that they have clone here?" ■ "Most probably. When she leaves, the police will without doubt take good care to know her destination and inform the authorities of the next town she enters. Your 'only plan is to leave Italy." " Thanks for your advice," the other replied in a despondent tone. " Loving her as I do, what you have just told me and what >you have hinted have upset me and destroyed my peace of mind. I. fear I'm nok jjuite myself, and must apologise for any £n?patient words I have used. I shall act iipon your suggestion, and leave Italy.' Then he paused, but after a few moments Raised his head, saying : ' " You have been good enough to give me friendly ildvice upon many points, may I en,croach upon your good nature still further? jTcll me, do you think it wise to acquaint her %yith the facts you have told me?" Hutchinson looked at the man before him, and saw how hopelessly ,he was in love. He liad seen them driving together, and had long jago noticed how beautiful his companion was. " No," he answered at last. ' If you intend to marry her there is really no necessity 'lEor demanding an immediate explanation. OBut as soon as you are out of Italy and you iiave an opportunity, I should certainly inVite her to tell you the whole truth." Then, after some conversation the two men Shofok hands, and Chailes Armytage slowly made his way downstairs and out across the [wide sunlit Piazza

From the" window Consul Hut-chinson /watched his retreating figure, and noticed how self-absorbed he was as he strode along. His heart had gone out to sympathise in this Ibrief interview, and a strong desire came upon him to help and protect the lonely pEnglishman. . " Poor devil," he muttered, ■" he's badly hit, and I fear he has a troublous time before him. I wish to God I could jbelp him. 'But now to work!" and he jflung himself into his chair with a sigh and commenced to examine some ship's papers which the pro-Consul at that moment landed to him.

When Armytage entered Gemma's pretty jsalon, the window of wmch commanded a "wide view of the blue Mediterranean, she fose quickly from the silken divan with a glad cry of welcome. She was veiled and gloved ready to go out, wearing a smart costume of pearl 'grey, with a large black hat iivhich suited her fan- face admirably. " How late you arc ! " she exclaimed a trifle impetuously, pouting 'prettily as their Ups met. " You said 11 o'clock; and it's now hearly one:'*

" I've had a good deal to see after," he jstammered. " Business woirries from Jlioudon."

" Poor Nino ! " she exclaimed sympathetically, in her soft Italian, putting up her tiny Siand and stroking his hair tenderly. Nino Was the pet name she had long ago bestowed upon him. '" Poor Nino ! 1 didn't know you were worried, or I would not have complained. Excuse, won't you? " '* Of course, dearest,", he answered, sinking a trifle wearily into a chair, whilst she, regarding him with some surprise, reseated lersell" upon the divan, her little russefc)rown shoe stretched forth coquettishly from beneath the ueni of her well-made Bkirt.

The room was small, but artistic. The painted stone floor was oarpetless, as are all" £talia,n houses in summer, the furniture was upholstered in crimson' silk and old-gold, a j tall lamp stood near the window, artificial ■ flowers ornamenting its great lace shade, the ' /walls were decoraied with many pictures and , photographs, and in the centre of the .ires- i coed ceiling was suspended a- huge Japanese | umbrella; Its cosiness and general iurangement everywhere betrayed the daily presence of an artistic woman, and as he safe there with, his .eyes 6xed^upoo her he became -in- j toxicat.ed by her marvellous beauty. • There was a softness about her lace, an ingenuous j sweetness -whic)i always entranced him, holding hum speJJbonnd when in her presence. j " You are tired," she said, in a low caress- j ing tone. " WiJ] yt>u have some vermouth < or marsala? Let roe tell Margherita to bring you some." • " No," he answered quickly, " I had a vermouth at Campari's as I passed. I'm a fcrifle upset to-day." .

"Why?" she inquired quickly, regarding him with some astonishment. He hesitated. His eyes wers riv&tted. itf)-

on her. The sun shutters were closed, the glare of day subdued, and he was debating whether or not he -should relate to her in that dim half light all that had been told to him an hour ago. In those brief moments of silence, he remembered how, on the afternoon he had encountered Tristram at Pancaldi's, she had expressed surprise that he should love her so blindly without seeking to inquire into her past. He remembered his foolish reply. He had told her he wished to know nothing. If he demanded any explanation now it would convince her that he doubted. Yes, Hutehinson's advice was best. At present he must act diplomatically and remain silent. " The reason why I am not myself to-day is because 1 nnist leave yon. GJemma,," he said, slowly at last, in a low earnest voice. " Leave me ! " she gasped, starting and turning pale beneath her veil. " Yes," he replied quickly. "It is imperative that I should start for Paris tonight.'* Has my Nino had bad news this morning? "she asked in a sympathetic tone, bending and extending her hand until it touched his.

Its contact thrilled him. In her clear blue eyes he could distinguish the light of unshed tears. " Yes, " he answered. " News which make it. necessaiy that I should be in Paris at the earliest possible moment." " And how long shall you remain? " she inquired. "I shall not return to Italy." lie replied, decisively, his eyes still upon hers. " You will not come back to me ? " slie cried blankly. "What have I done, Nino? Tell me, what have I done that you should thus forsake me? " " I do not intend to forsake you," he answered, grasping her hand. "' I will never forsake yon. I love you far to well." " You love nre ! " she echoed, tears coursing down her cheeks. '" Then why go away and leave me alone? You must have seen how fondly I love you in return." " I shall not go alone," he answered her, rising and placing his arms tenderly about her neck. " That is, if you will go with me." '" With you? " she exclaimed, her face suddenly brightening. " With you, Nino?" There was a deep silence. She gazed into his dark serious eyes with an expression of love and devotion more eloquent than words, and he, still holding her hand, bent until their lips met in a fierce passionate caress. " Surely you do not fear to travel with me without regard for the convenances? " he said. " Have we not already set them at naught? " she answered, looking earnestly into his face. " Unfortunately I have no chaperone, no friends, therefore, according to Italian manners, your presence here, in my house, is against all the laws of etiquette," and she laughed a strange iiollow laugh through her tears. "We can, I think, Gemma, set aside etiquette, loving each other as we do," ho exclaimed, pressing her hand. " Let us go together to London, and there many." "Why not marry in Italy?" she suggested, after a pause. " Marriage at your British Consulate is binding." The mention of the Consulate brought back to his memory all that Hutchinson had said. Her words seemed to imply that she did not wish to leave Tuscany. "Why in Italy?" he inquired. "You have no tie here?" She hesitated for a moment. " No, none whatever," she assured him, in a voice which sounded strangely harsh and unconvincing. He attributed her agitation to the exuitemenfc of the moment and the fervency of her love. " Then why do wish remain? " he inquired bluntly. " I have reasons," she replied, mechanically, her eyes slowly wandering around the room. Suddenly she rose and hastily snatching up an open letter that was lying upon the mantelshelf, crushed it within the palm of .her gloved 'hand! He was sitting with his back to the mantel, therefore he saw nothing of this strange action, and believed, when she went out of the room a moment later, that she went to speak wibh her servant. True, she spoke some words with Margherita in the kitchen, but- placing tho letter upon the burning charcoal, she watched the flame slowly consume it. Then with a parting order to Margherita, utcrcd in a tone distinctly audible to her lover, she returned smiling to his side. " For what reason do you want to remain hero ? " he inquired, when she had again reseated herself with a word of apology for her absence. " It is only natural that T should'bc loth ' to leave my own country," she answered evasively;, laughing.

"No further motive?" he asLed, a trifle increduousJy.

" Well, I have many acquaintances in Florence, in Milan, oncl Eome."

" And you desire to remain in Italy on their account ! " he exclaimed. " Only the other day you expressed s-atj faction at the suggestion of leaving Italy."

" I have since changed my mind," die replied, in a low strained voice.

"And you intend to remain?"

" Not if you are compelled to leave Livorno, Nino," she answered, with that sweet smile which always entranced him. In her attitude he detected mystery. She appeared striving to hide* from him some important fact, and he suddenly determined to discover what was its nature. VVlxy, he wondered, should she desire to remain m Tuscany after the satisfaction she Had already expressed at the prospect of life in ICn gland? " I am compelled to go to-night," he said. " The train leaves at half-pUst "nine, and we shall take the through wagon-lit from Pisa to Paris at midnight. If you'll be ready I'll wire to Rome to secure our berths in the car. "' "Then you really mean to leave?" she asked, in a tone of despair. "Certainly," he replied, puzzled at her strange manner.

" It will perhaps be better for me to remain," she observed with a deep &igh. "Why?"

"If we married you would tire of me very, very soon. Besides, you really know so little of me," and she regarded him gravely with her great clear wide-open eves.

"Ah! that's just it!" he cried, "You have told me nothing. She shrugged her shoulders with a careless air, and smiled. " You have never inquired," she answered.

' Then I a,=k now," he said,

" And 1 am unable to answer you — unable to tell the truth, Nino," she replied brokenly, her trembling hand his. '■ Why unable ? " he demanded, sitting erect and staring at her in blank surprise. ' Because — because I love you too well to deceive you," she sobbed. Then she added : " No, after all, it will be best for us to part — best for you. If you knew all, as you must some day ; if we married, you would only hate me," and she burst into a torrent of blinding tears. " Hate you, piccina, why ? " he asked, uttering the term of endearment which sue had taught him in the early clays of their acquaintance and slipping his arm around her slim waist.

With a sudden movement she raised her veil and wiped away the tears with her litole lace handkerchief.

"Ah! forgive me," she exclaimed apologetically. " I did not believe I was so weak. But I love you,- Nino. I cannot bear the thought of being parted from you.." " There is surely no necessity to part," he said, purposely disregarding the strange selfaccusation she had just littered.

' : You must go to Paris. Therefore we must part," she said, sighing deeply. " Then you will not accompany me? " Her blue eyes, child-like in their innocence, were fixed upon his. They were again filled with tears.

"For your sake it is best that we shoull part," she answered hoarsely. "Why? I cannot understand your meaning," he cried. "We love one another. What do you fear?" " I fear myself."

" Yourself ! " he echoed. Then, drawing her closer to him, he exclaimed in a loav, intense voice : " Come, - Gemma, confide :n me. Tell me why you de&ire to remain here ; why you are acting so strangely today?"

She rose slowly from the divan, a slim, woful figure, and swayed unevenly as she answered :

"No Nino. Do not ask me."

"But you. still love me?" he demanded, earnestly. " Have you not just expressed readiness to marry me? "

" True," she replied, pale and trembling " I will marry you if you remain here, m Livorno. But if you leave — if you leave, then we must part."

"My journey is absolutely necessarjr," he declared. "If it were not, I should certainly remain with you." " In a week, or a fortnight at most, you can return, I suppose. Till then I shall remain awaiting you." " No," he replied firmly. " When I leave Italy I shall not return." Then, after a slight pause, he added in a low sympathetic tone : " Some secret oppresses you, Gemma. Why not take me into your confidence? "

" Because — well, because it is utterly impossible," she stammered, in a low tremu-

" Impossible ! Yet we love one another. Is your past such a profound secret, then?" " All of us, I suppose, have our secrets, Nino," she replied earnestly. "I, like others, have mine."

" Is it of such a character thai I, your affianced husband, must not know?" he asked in a voice of bitter reproach. "Yes," she answered nervously. "Even to you, the man I love, lam unable divulge the strange story which must remain locked for ever within my heart."

" Then you have no further confidence In me? " he observed despairingly.

"Ah I Yes, I have, Nino. It is my inability to tell everything, to explain myself, and to present my actions to you in a true light that worries me so."

" But why can't you tell me everything? " he demanded.

" Because I fear to."

" I love you, Gemma," he assured her tenderly. " Surety you do nob doubt the strength of my affection? "- v No," she whispered, agitated, her trembling fingers closing upon his." I know you love me. What I fear is the dire consequences of the exposure of my secret. 1 ' "'Then, to speak plainly, you are in dread of the actions of some person who holds power' over you," he hazarded. She was silent. ' Her heart Oeat wildly her breast heaved and fell quickly ; her chin sank upon laer chest in an attitude of utter defection.

"Have I guessed the truth?" he asked in a calm serious voice.

She nodded in the affirmative, with a '

" Who is this person whom you fear? ' he inquired, after a pau*e brief and painful.

" Ah ! no, Nino," she burst forth, trembling with agitation she had vainly striven to suppress. "Do not ask me that. I fan never cell you — never.''

" But you must — yon shall ! " he cried fiercely. " I love you, and will protect you from all your enemies, whoever they may be."

" Impossible," she answered despairingly " No, let us part. You can have no faith m me after my wretched admissions of to-day." " I still have every faith in you, darling, ' he hastened to re-assure her. " Only tell me everything, and set ray mind at rest."

" No," she protested. " I can tell yoi nothing — absolutely nothing. " " You prefer, then, that we should be put asunder rather than answer my questions?" " I cannot leave Italy with you," she answered simply, but harshly.

" Not if we were to many in England as soon as the legal fornialties can be accomplished? "

"I am ready to marry you here — to-day if you desire," she said. '• But I shall not go to London."

" I have reasons. Strong ones," she answered vehemently, with a slight shrug of her shoulders. .

" Then your enemies are in London ! " he said quickly. " Are they English? " At that instant the door bell rang loudly,' and both listened intently as Margherita auswered the somewhat impetuous summons. There were sounds of low talking, and a few moments later the servant, palefaced and scared, entered the room, saying : " Signorina ! There are two officers of the police in the hou&e, and they wish to speak with you immediately." '' The police ! " Gemma gasped, trembling. " Then they've discovered me ! " . There -was a look of unutterable terror :n her great blue eyes ; the light died instantly out of her sweet face ; she reeled, and would have fallen had not her lover sprang up alii clasped her tenderly. Her beautiful head with its mass of fair hah 1 fell inert upon his shoulder. This blow, added to the mental strain she had already undergone, had proved too much.

"Nino," she whispered hoarsely. "You stili love me — you love me, don't you? And you will not believe what they allege against me — not one single Word / "

lous tone.

Why?"

(To be continued.)