"Aurora?"

"Yes, for you have forgotten her. But you will not forget Regina now,
not even when you are very, very old, and your golden hair is all grey.
You will never forget Regina, now!"

"Never!" echoed Marcello, like a child. "Never, never, never!"

"Not even when your friends try to take me away from you, love, not even
if they try to kill me, because they want you to marry Aurora, who is a
rich girl, all dressed with silk and covered with jewels, like the image
of the Madonna at Genazzano. I am sure Aurora has yellow hair and blue
eyes!"

"I don't want any one but you," answered Marcello, drawing her face
nearer.

So the time passed, and it was to them as if there were no time. Then
the door opened again, and a very pale man in deep mourning was brought
in by the Superintendent himself. Regina rose and drew back a little, so
that the shadow should not fall across Marcello's face, and she fixed
her eyes on the gentleman in black.

"This is the patient," said the Superintendent in a low voice.

Corbario laid his hand nervously on his companion's arm, and stood still
for a moment, holding his breath and leaning forward a little, his gaze
riveted on Marcello's face. Regina had never before seen a man
transfixed with fear.

He moved a step towards the bed, and then another, forcing himself to go
on. Then Marcello turned his head and looked at him vacantly. Regina
heard the long breath Corbario drew, and saw his body straighten, as if
relieved from a great burden. He stood beside the bed, and put out his
hand to take Marcello's.

"Do you know me?" he asked; but even then his voice was unsteady.

Instead of answering, Marcello turned away to Regina.

"You promised that they should not tease me any more," he said
querulously. "Make them go away! I want to sleep."

Regina came to his side at once, and faced the two men across the bed.

"What is all this for?" she asked, with a little indignation. "You know
that he cannot remember you, even if he ever saw you before. Cannot you
leave him in peace? Come back after the operation. Then he will remember
you, if you really know him."

"Who is this girl?" asked Corbario of the Superintendent.

"She took care of him when he had the fever, and she managed to get him
here. She has undoubtedly saved his life."

At the words a beautiful blush coloured Regina's cheeks, and her eyes
were full of triumphant light; but at the same words Corbario's still
face darkened,