"Giovanni," replied Zuleika, greatly moved by this display of devotion, "rise and be a man!"
The Italian sprang up as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt; then he endeavored to clasp her in his arms, but she quietly repulsed him.
"Zuleika," cried he, sadly, "you do not love me; you never loved me; I have been the victim of a cruel deception!"
"If you think so," answered the young girl, quietly, "there is but one course you can pursue as a man of honor--spurn the deceiver from you and never look upon her face again!"
The young man gazed at her reproachfully.
"What have I done to turn you thus against me?" he asked, his tone suddenly becoming humble.
"What have you done? You refuse to reveal this mystery to me, which, as you yourself admit, involves deceit, treachery and bloodshed, and which, for aught I know, has set an indelible stain upon your life! I love you truly, love you with all the passion of a woman's nature, but I must know this history that I may judge whether you are worthy of my love!"
"I assure you, Zuleika, that there is no stain upon my life, that there is nothing in this history that tends in the least to dishonor me, but still I cannot speak."
"Then we must separate."
"Oh! Zuleika, Zuleika, do not be pitiless! You will drive me mad!"
The young girl touched a bell and Ali, the Nubian, appeared.
"Monsieur is about taking his departure," said she to the faithful servant. "I leave him in your hands."
And without a word of farewell to Giovanni, she swept from the salon like a queen.
The Viscount gazed after her with indescribable sadness pictured upon his handsome countenance. Then he followed Ali, put on his overcoat and hat and regretfully left the house.