Say you love me again."

"I love you."

"You will never leave me? You will stay with me always while we live?
Say it, Kaya! Your cheeks are white like a sea-shell; they flush like
a rose when I press them with my lips! Say it, Kaya! You are
trembling--you are sobbing!"

"I must leave you, Velasco--I cannot stay. It is like leaving one's
life and one's soul!"

He laughed: "Leave me then! Can you stir from my arms? They are
strong. I will hold you forever." He laid his dark, curly head
against the gold of her curls, and she felt his breath against her
throat.

She opened her eyes: "My hands, Velasco--they are stained with blood;
have you forgotten? How can I stay with you when there is--blood on
my--hands?"

He pressed her closer: "Give them to me; let me kiss the stains!"

"I am cursed, Velasco, I am cursed! I have taken the life of a man!"

He held his breath suddenly, moving his face until he could see into
her eyes. "Ah," he said, "Is that why you left me, Kaya, because of
the curse?"

"Yes--Velasco."

"You loved me then! It was a lie? Kaya, tell me!"

"I loved you, Velasco, I loved you!"

"And now--?"

She clung to him and his arms tightened.

Suddenly he laughed again. "Hark!" he cried, "You hear the shouting?
They are shouting for you! They are stamping and clapping for you;
they are calling your name!" He threw back his head, laughing madly:

"Come--Kaya! Let us go together and peep through the curtain. The
first time I saw you, you were there in the House, and I behind on the
stage alone, with your violets. Now we are together. You will leave
me, you say? Come, Kaya, and look at the House through the curtain.
You are trembling, little one; and when I put you down on your feet you
can scarcely stand. You are sorry to leave me? It is like tearing
one's heart from one's body while one still lives! Will you tear it,
beloved? Come--and look through the hole in the curtain."

He put his arm about her, drawing her forward, looking down at her
curls. "You are weak, Kaya; your form sways like the stem of a flower.
Lean against me. Let me lead you. It is because your heart is so
loyal and true; to kill it will be killing yourself! Don't sob, Kaya!
Look through the curtain! Hark at the stamping! Look--dear
beloved--lean on my shoulder and look!"

"Ah, Velasco, it is like a great mob; the Kapellmeister is there before
the curtain. He tries to speak, but they will not l