"Not one moment longer than I am compelled to stay," he replied. "If my father really wants to see me on election affairs I may be absent two days; trust me, Leone; the first moment I am free I shall return;" and drawing her beautiful face down to his own the young husband kissed it with passionate devotion, little dreaming of what lay before him.
"Only half an hour," said Leone. "Oh, Lance, let me spend it with you. I will order your portmanteau to be packed; my dear, do not let me leave you for one moment."
She drew a little stool and sat down at his feet.
Lord Chandos laughed.
"One would think we were lovers still."
She looked at him with that wonderful expression of face, so earnest, so intent, so lofty.
"So we are," she said; "we will be lovers until we die; shall we not, Lance?"
"I hope so; but we shall be unlike most married people, Leone, if we do that," he replied.
"I will not believe you," she answered. "You laugh, sometimes, Lance, at love; but I am sure if I were your wife for fifty years you would never tire of me or love me less."
"I never wish to do so," he replied.