I
would like to ask you a question, if I might."

"Certainly," replied Olive, trying to appear cheerful.

"Do you think my friend would be justified in seeking revenge on the
woman who sent him to despair, and worse than death?"

"I do not know all the circumstances, signore," she replied, "neither do
I think that revenge is ever justifiable."

"Ah, no. You believe in the teaching of the Founder of your religion,
'love your enemies,' eh? But if you knew, signorina, if you knew!"

"The woman may be suffering more than you think."

"Suffering! Ah, I have seen her. Her life is one long song. She is
careless, she has a life full of pleasure. Her admirers throng around
her. She professes to be a Christian, too, and goes to church; but she
thinks not of the poor soul wandering in blackest night. But I think he
would be justified in seeking revenge."

"What revenge?" asked Olive. "What kind of revenge could he take?"

"I have thought of that, signorina, and I cannot think what it should
be. She is to all appearances beyond his reach. She is rich, powerful,
petted, courted; while he--ah, if I only knew where he was! Yet
sometimes I think he must be planning his revenge. It would be better
for her if he had died. For, if he does take revenge, it will be sure,
and the torture will be exquisite."

"Perhaps he loves her still."

"Loves her! No, he hates her with all the madness with which he loved
her. His passion of love has turned to bitterness, to wormwood. That is
why I think his degradation and despair will drive him to revenge. I am
glad I am in a Christian country, where the vendetta is not known.
Good-night, signorina."

"Did you notice, Olive, that he refused to partake of any form of
refreshment?" said John Castlemaine to his daughter, after Sprague and
Ricordo had gone.

"Yes," said Olive; "but then I am told that people from the East seldom
drink spirits. I am sorry you asked him."

"He's a remarkable kind of man."

"Yes."

"Do I know whom you are thinking of, Olive?"

She nodded her head.

"He reminds me of him, too. Sometimes I fancied I heard him speaking.
Still, that is of course pure fancy. Olive, when are you going to forget
him?"

"I don't know."

"I was hoping that he had passed out of your life."

"I thought he had, but that man's story seemed to bring everything
back."

"I confess he made me feel uncomfortable. Still, he is a most
entertaining man, and his position and rank are unq