e as dewdrops, and looked kindly into the dreamy eyes.

"How beautiful you are, and yet how sad!"

The lady tried to smile.

"This smile even is melancholy," said Banfy, gently, and put his arm
around his fairy wife.

Madame Banfy drew close to her husband, put her arms around his neck,
drew his face down to hers and kissed it.

"This very kiss is sorrowful!"

She turned away to hide her tears.

"What is the matter with you?" Banfy asked, and smoothed her brow.
"What has happened to you? why are you so pale? what is the matter?"

"What is the matter with me?" replied Madame Banfy, raising her eyes
full of tears and sighing deeply; then she dried her eyes, put her arm
in her husband's and led him to her flowers as if to turn the
conversation. "Just see this poor passionflower, how faded it is; yet
it is planted in a porcelain vase and I water it daily with distilled
water. Once I forgot to raise the curtains, and just see how the poor
thing is faded. It lacks nothing except sunlight."

"Ah," whispered Banfy in subdued voice. "It seems we speak with each
other in the language of the flowers."

"What is the matter with me?" said Madame Banfy with a sob, as she
clung to her husband's neck;--"my sunlight is wanting--your love!"

Banfy felt himself unpleasantly affected. He sat down beside his wife,
drew her gently toward him and asked in the most friendly, though
excited voice,

"Do I not know how to express this to you as well as formerly?"

"Oh yes, but I see you so rarely. You have been away now nearly six
weeks, and I could not be with you."

"Wife, are you ambitious? would you shine at the Prince's court?
Believe me your court is more splendid than his and not nearly so
dangerous."

"Oh, you know that I do not seek splendor nor fear danger. When you
were banished, when a little hut sheltered us and often only a tent
covered us in the snow, then you would lay my head on your breast,
cover me with your cloak--and I was so happy! Often noise of battle
and thunder of cannon would frighten sleep from our eyes and yet I was
so happy! You would mount your horse while I sank down in prayer, and
when you came back covered with blood and dust, how happy I was!"

"Heaven grant that you may be so again. But there is a fortune that
stands higher than that of family life. There are times when your mere
glance would hinder me--would stand in my way"--

"Yes, I know them. Gay adventures, beautiful women--am I not r