He started as if he had been stung, and every drop of blood receded from his face, leaving it almost livid. He turned his eyes in a kind of wondering doubt upon me, but I counterfeited an air of such good faith and frankness, that he checked some hasty utterance that rose to his lips, and mastering himself by a strong effort, said, briefly: "I thank you! I know I can rely upon your honor."
"You can!" I answered, decisively--"as positively as you rely upon your own!" Again he winced, as though whipped smartly by an invisible lash. Releasing his hand, I asked, in a tone of affected regret, "And when must you leave us, carino?"
"Most unhappily, at once," he answered "I start by the early train to-morrow morning."
"Well, I am glad I knew of this in time," I said, glancing at my writing-table, which was strewn with unsent invitation cards, and estimates from decorators and ball furnishers. "I shall not think of starting any more gayeties till you return."
He looked gratefully at me "Really? It is very kind of you, but I should be sorry to interfere with any of your plans--"
"Say no more about it, amico" I interrupted him lightly "Everything can wait till you come back. Besides, I am sure you will prefer to think of madama as living in some sort of seclusion during your enforced absence--"
"I should not like her to be dull!" he eagerly exclaimed.
"Oh, no!" I said, with a slight smile at his folly, as if she--Nina--would permit herself to be dull! "I will take care of that. Little distractions, such as a drive now and then, or a very quiet, select musical evening! I understand--leave it all to me! But the dances, dinners, and other diversions shall wait till your return."
A delighted look flashed into his eyes. He was greatly flattered and pleased.
"You are uncommonly good to me, conte!" he said, earnestly. "I can never thank you sufficiently."
"I shall demand a proof of your gratitude some day," I answered. "And now, had you not better be packing your portmanteau? To-morrow will soon be here. I will come and see you off in the morning."
Receiving this assurance as another testimony of my friendship, he left me. I saw him no more that day; it was easy to guess where he was! With my wife, of course!--no doubt binding her, by all the most sacred vows he could think of or invent, to be true to him--as true as she had been false to me. In fancy I could see him clasping her in his arms, and kissing her many times in his passionate fervor, imploring her to think of him faithfully, night and day, till he should again return to the joy of her caresses! I smiled coldly, as this glowing picture came before my imagination. Ay, Guido! kiss her and fondle her now to your heart's content--it is for the last time! Never again will that witching glance be turned to you in either fear or favor--never again will that fair body nestle in your jealous embrace--never again will your kisses burn on that curved sweet mouth; never, never again! Your day is done--the last brief moments of your sin's enjoyment have come--make the most of them!--no one shall interfere! Drink the last drop of sweet wine--MY hand shall not dash the cup from your lips on this, the final night of your amour! Traitor, liar, and hypocrite! make haste to be happy for the short time that yet remains to you--shut the door close, lest the pure pale stars behold your love ecstasies! but let the perfumed lamps shed their softest artificial luster on all that radiant beauty which tempted your sensual soul to ruin, and of which you are now permitted to take your last look! Let there be music too--the music of her voice, which murmurs in your ear such entrancing falsehoods! "She will be true," she says. You must believe her, Guido, as I did--and, believing her thus, part from her as lingeringly and tenderly as you will--part from her--FOREVER!