“Nothing.”
“Do you mean Rose Filmer, when you say ‘nothing’?”
“Far from it. Rose is everything.”
“You love Rose so much? Tell me about it, Antony. It will do you good.”
“I love Rose so much, Yanna, that I only live to love her.”
“Well, then, you will soon meet her often, and under very favorable conditions. She will be sure to visit me, and in the quiet of Cousin Alida’s house you may influence her when you could not do so in a crowd.”
“I have thought of that. And, oh, Yanna! you must help me to keep my Rose sweet and pure. She has so many temptations; she is so weak, and you are so strong. Surely you will help me to help Rose!”
“With all my heart. Miss Alida told me——”
“Do not mind what you are told—the dear girl is in danger, and I love her all the more. Oh, Yanna, the love has got into my soul, and whatever Rose is, or whatever she does, cannot affect it. Deep down, below all the folly and cruelty she is sometimes guilty of, she loves me. Do I mind, then, the accidentals of her position? Not at all. Her heart is mine. Some day she will find that out. I am not to be discouraged by pouts or tempers—no, nor yet by graver faults.”