“Then I can set you, my jewel, in a frame of the rarest gems.”

“No, no,” she cried gaily.  “Let me have a setting indeed, for I am but a fugitive thing; but only, only in your heart.”

“That piece of goldsmith’s work is already done.—­But seriously my child; with regard to Paula’s necklace:  it really was a gem, and you must have happened to see only the back of it.  That is just as you describe it:  a plain setting of gold.”

“But Orion. . . .”

“If you love me, sweetheart, contradict me no further.  In the future I will always accept your views, but in this case your mistake might involve us in a serious misunderstanding, by compelling me to give in to Paula and make her my ally.—­Here we are!  But wait one moment longer.—­ And once more, as to this gem.  You see we may both be wrong—­I as much as you; but I firmly believe that I am in the right.  If you make a statement contrary to mine I shall appear before the judges as a liar.  We are now betrothed—­we are but one, wholly one; what damages or dignifies one of us humiliates or elevates the other.  If you, who love me—­you, who, as it is already whispered, are soon to be the mistress of the governor’s house—­make a statement opposed to mine they are certain to believe it.  You see, your whole nature is pure kindness, but you are still too young and innocent quite to understand all the duties of that omnipotent love which beareth and endureth all things.  If you do not yield to me cheerfully in this case you certainly do not love me as you ought.  And what is it to ask?  I require nothing of you but that you should state before the court that you saw Paula’s necklace at noon to-day, and that there was a gem hanging to it—­a gem with Love and Psyche engraved on it.”

“And I am to say that before all those men?” asked Katharina doubtfully.

“You must indeed, you kind little angel!” cried Orion tenderly.  “And do you think it pretty in a betrothed bride to refuse her lover’s first request so grudgingly, suspiciously, and ungraciously?  Nay, nay.  If there is the tiniest spark of love for me in your heart, if you do not want to see me reduced to implore Paula for mercy. . . .”

“But what is it all about?  How can it matter so much to any one whether a gem or a mere plate of gold....?”

“All that I will explain later,” he hastily replied.

“Tell me now....”

“Impossible.  We have already put the patience of the judges to too severe a test.  We have not a moment to lose.”

“Very well then; but I shall die of confusion and shame if I have to make a declaration. . . .”

“Which is perfectly truthful, and by which you can prove to me that you love me,” he urged.

“But it is dreadful!” she exclaimed anxiously.  “At least fasten my veil closely over my face.—­All those bearded men. . . .”

“Like the ostrich,” said Orion, laughing as he complied.  “If you really cannot agree with your....  What is it you called me just now?  Say it again.”