"They are dear to me," she whispered. "How strange," repeated Lady Marion, "that while the world is full of men you and I should love the same man."
"Ah, life is strange," said Leone; "peace only comes with death."
CHAPTER LXI.
A SACRIFICE.
Lady Marion raised herself so that she could look into the face of her beautiful rival.
"Now I will tell you," she said; "you are going to Berlin; you have an engagement at the Royal Opera House there, and my husband wishes to go there, too. But we all oppose it; his parents for social reasons, and I—I tell you frankly, because I am jealous of you, and cannot bear that he should follow you there. I have asked him to give up the idea, but he refuses—he will not listen to me. I have said that if he goes there, I will never see him or speak to him again, and I must keep my word. So, madame, I have come to you; I appeal to you, do not let him go: you can prevent it if you will."
Leone's dark eyes flashed fire.
"There is no harm in our friendship," she said; "would you take from me the only gleam of happiness I have in the world?"
But Lady Marion did not seem to hear the wild words; the same raptures of holy love had come over her face, and she blushed until she looked like a lovely, glowing rose.