debts." "Again?" he said reproachfully, "why do you not come to me at
once, for you must do it in the end, and then at least you would avoid
any exposure?" "Please do not take me to task," she replied; "you know it
only makes me angry. I want some money; can you give me some?" "How much
do you want?" She hesitated, for she had not the courage to name the real
amount, but at last she said, in a low voice: "Five thousand florins."[5]
It was evidently only a small portion of what she really required, so
he replied: "I am sure you want more than that!" "No." "Really not?" "Do
not make me angry."

[Footnote 5: About L500, nominally.]

He shrugged his shoulders, went to his strong box and gave her the money,
whereupon she nodded, and giving him her hand, she said: "You are always
kind, and as long as I have you, I am not afraid; but if I were to lose
you, I should be the most unhappy woman in the world." "You always have
the same fears; but I shall never leave you; it would be impossible for
me to separate from you," the Count exclaimed. "And if you die?" she
interrupted him hastily. "If I die?" the Count said, with a peculiar
smile. "I have provided for you in that eventuality also." "Do you
mean to say" ... she stammered, flushed, and her large, lovely eyes
rested on her lover with an indescribable expression in them. He,
however, opened a drawer in his writing-table, and took out a document,
which he gave her. It was his will. She opened it with almost indecent
haste, and when she saw the amount--thirty thousand florins--she grew
pale to her very lips.

It was a moment in which the germs of a crime were sown in her breast,
but one of those crimes which cannot be touched by the Criminal Code. A
few days after she had paid her visit to the Count, she herself received
one from the Italian. In the course of conversation he took a jewel case
out of his breast pocket and asked her opinion of the ornaments, as she
was well-known for her taste in such matters, telling her at the same
time, that it was intended as a present for an actress, with whom he was
on intimate terms.--"It is a magnificent set!" she said, as she looked at
it. "You have made an excellent selection." Then she suddenly became
absorbed in thought, while her nostrils began to quiver, and that touch
of cold cruelty played on her lips.

"Do you think that the lady for whom this ornament is intended will be
pleased with it?" the Italian asked. "Certainly," she