rm, impassioned kisses
with an ardor that convinced him how dear he had become to that
afflicted, but transcendently beautiful being. On her side, the blood in
her veins appeared to circulate like molten lead; and her face, her
neck, her bosom were suffused with burning blushes.

At length, raising her head, she conveyed this wish to her companion:
"Thou hast given me an idea which may render me ridiculous in your
estimation; but it is a whim, a fancy, a caprice, engendered only by the
profound affection I entertain for thee. I would that thou shouldst say,
in thy softest, tenderest tones, the words '_I love thee!_' and, by the
wreathing of thy lips, I shall see enough to enable my imagination to
persuade itself that those words have really fallen upon my ears."

Fernand smiled assent; and, while Nisida's eyes were fixed upon him with
the most enthusiastic interest, he said, "I love thee!"

The sovereign beauty of her countenance was suddenly lighted up with an
expression of ineffable joy, of indescribable delight; and, signaling
the assurance, "I love thee, dearest, dearest Fernand!" she threw
herself into his arms.

But almost at the same moment voices were heard in the adjacent room:
and Wagner, gently disengaging himself from Nisida's embrace, hastily
conveyed to her an intimation of the vicinity of others.

The lady gave him to understand by a glance that she comprehended him;
and they remained motionless, fondly gazing upon each other.

"I know not how it has occurred, Flora," said the voice of Francisco,
speaking in a tender tone, in the adjoining room--"I know not how it has
occurred that I should have addressed you in this manner--so soon, too,
after the death of my lamented father, and while these mourning garments
yet denote the loss which myself and sister have sustained----"

"Oh! my lord, suffer me to retire," exclaimed Flora Francatelli, in a
tone of beseeching earnestness; "I should not have listened to your
lordship so long in the gallery of pictures, much less have accompanied
your lordship hither."

"I requested thee to come with me to this apartment, Flora, that I might
declare, without fear of our interview being interrupted, how dear, how
very dear, thou art to me, and how honorable is the passion with which
thou hast inspired me. Oh, Flora," exclaimed the young count, "I could
no longer conceal my love for thee! My heart was bursting to reveal its
secret; and when I discovered thee alone,