science. The still small voice seems no longer to trouble you,"
turning suggestively to Hillard. "You are stopping at the Hotel Italie?"

"I am. You will find me there," returned Hillard, with good
understanding.

"Good! Your Highness, to-morrow night I shall have the extreme pleasure
of running your lover through the throat." He picked up his cap, which
lay on one of the chairs, put it on cavalierly, and took his princely
presence out of their immediate vicinity.

"It will do my soul good to stand before that scoundrel," said Hillard,
stretching out his hands and closing them with crushing force. "He has
felt the power of my hand to-night. I will kill him."

La Signorina laid a hand on his arm. "No, Mr. Hillard, you will fight no
duel."

"And why not? I do not see how it can be avoided."

"You have told me that you love me. As it stands I may sometimes see
you, but if you kill him, never."

"He is far more likely to kill me," said Hillard morosely. "And perhaps
it would be a kind service."

"Shame!" she cried. "Have you no courage? Can you not accept the
inevitable manfully? Think of me. I can fight no duels; I must live on
and on, tied legally to this man. And it is you who will add misery to
my unhappiness? You will not fight him," with the assurance of one who
has offered a complete argument.

"Very well. To be called a coward by a man like that is nothing. I shall
not fight him."

"Thank you." And she gave him her hand impulsively.

"I love you," he murmured as he bent to kiss the hand; "and it is not
dishonorable for you to hear me say so."

"I forbid you to say that!" But the longing of the world was in her eyes
as she looked down at his head. She released her hand. "My friends,
to-morrow our little play comes to an end. This is no longer Eden. We
must go."

"This is what comes of American girls marrying these blamed foreigners,"
growled the tender-hearted O'Mally. "Why did you do it?"

"I am almost Italian, Mr. O'Mally. I had no choice in the matter; the
affair was prearranged by our parents, after the continental fashion."

"I'm sorry I spoke like that," O'Mally said contritely.

"No apologies, if you please. It is only just that you should know
something of the case, considering the manner in which I imposed upon
you all."

"I'll punch Worth's head when I run across him." O'Mally clenched his
fists.

"That would change nothing. He was a part of destiny; he has served his
little turn and