“Because,” I replied, speaking slowly and emphatically; “I desire you to be mine and mine only, to have you absolutely in my possession, and to feel that no one can come between us, or interfere with my wishes concerning you.”
She laughed gayly. “_A la bonne heure_! You _are_ a lover without knowing it! Your dignity will not allow you to believe that you are actually in love with me, but in spite of yourself you _are_—you know you are!”
I stood before her in almost somber silence. At last I said: “If _you_ say so, _contessa_, then it must be so. I have had no experience in affairs of the heart, as they are called, and I find it difficult to give a name to the feelings which possess me; I am only conscious of a very strong wish to become the absolute master of your destiny.” And involuntarily I clinched my hand as I spoke. She did not observe the action, but she answered the words with a graceful bend of the head and a smile.
“I could not have a better fortune,” she said, “for I am sure my destiny will be all brightness and beauty with _you_ to control and guide it!”
“It will be what you desire,” I half muttered; then with an abrupt change of manner I said: “I will wish you goodnight, _contessa_. It grows late, and my state of health compels me to retire to rest early.”
She rose from her seat and gave me a compassionate look.
“You are really a great sufferer then?” she inquired tenderly. “I am sorry! But perhaps careful nursing will quite restore you. I shall be so proud if I can help you to secure better health.”
“Rest and happiness will no doubt do much for me,” I answered, “still I warn you, _cara mia_, that in accepting me as your husband you take a broken-down man, one whose whims are legion and whose chronic state of invalidism may in time prove to be a burden on your young life. Are you sure your decision is a wise one?”
“Quite sure!” she replied firmly. “Do I not _love_ you! And you will not always be ailing—you look so strong.”
“I am strong to a certain extent,” I said, unconsciously straightening myself as I stood. “I have plenty of muscle as far as that goes, but my nervous system is completely disorganized. I—why, what is the matter? Are you ill?”
For she had turned deathly pale, and her eyes look startled and terrified. Thinking she would faint, I extended my arms to save her from falling, but she put them aside with an alarmed yet appealing gesture.