“Yes,” was all Stella could utter, and then, gaining more voice, she went on, “I did not know—­I could not guess what that would mean—­to love—­but—­”

He answered her with fond triumph: 

“Now you are beginning to understand, darling child—­that is enough for me to know for the present.  In your country, a man asks a woman to marry him:  he says, ’Will you marry me?’—­is it not so? of course, I need not say that to you, because you know that is what I mean.  When these wearisome thongs are off your wrists you will belong to me, and come with me into my country and be part of my life.”

“Ah!” whispered Stella, the picture seemed one of heaven, that was all.

“You must have freedom to assert your individuality, Stella,” he continued.  “I can but show you the way and give you a new point of view, but I will never try to rule you and drag you to mine.  I will never put any chains upon you but those of love.  Do they sound as if they would be too heavy, dearest?”

“I think not,” she said very low.  “I feel as though I were looking into a beautiful garden from the top of an ugly, barren, cold mountain.  I shall like to come down and go in among the unknown flowers.”

“It will be so glorious for us,” he said exultantly, “because we have still all the interesting things to find out about each other,—­” And then, her sweet face so very near him, the temptation to caress her became too intense; he quivered and changed his position, clasping his hands.

“Darling,” he said hoarsely, “we must soon go back to the company, because, although I count always upon my will to make my actions obey it, still I can hardly prevent myself from seizing you in my arms and kissing your tender lips—­and that I must not do—­as yet.”

Stella drew herself together, the temptation was convulsing her also, though she did not guess it.  She looked up into his blue eyes there in the shadow, and saw the deep reverence in them, and she understood and loved him with her soul.

He did not so much as touch her dress; indeed, now that he had won his fight, he moved a little further from her—­and resumed his calm voice: 

“The first thing we shall do is to stroll back through the people and find the aunt—­I will then leave you with her, and soon it will be time to go home.  Do not make much conversation with any of them to-night—­leave everything to me.  I will see the Rev. Mr. Medlicott when we return to the hotel.  Whatever they say to you to-morrow, remain firm in your simple determination to break your engagement.  Argue with them not at all.  I will see your uncle in the morning and demand your hand; they will be shocked, horrified, scandalized—­we will make no explanations.  If they refuse their consent, then you must be brave, and the day after to-morrow you must come to my sister.  She will have arrived by then; she was in Paris, and I telegraphed for her to join me immediately; the Princess Urazov she is called.  She will receive you with affection, and you will stay with her until the formalities can be arranged, when we shall be married, and—­but I cannot permit myself to think of the joy of that—­for the moment.”