There were sounds upon the stairs, and in the hall; the sounds of a man's quick entrance and approach. Adrea, with that passionate prayer still quivering upon her lips, dragged herself to the door and listened. A moment's agonised apprehension, and then she staggered back, faint with joy. The door was opened, and quickly closed; Paul stood before her.
"Oh! my love! my love," she murmured. "Take me in your arms! It is for the last time!"
He moved to her side, and supported her. "Adrea," he said quietly, "I want you to change your things quickly, and come with me. There is a carriage at the door, and I have chartered a steamer to take us to Genoa. From there we can sail to-morrow for New York. Gomez was right; you are in danger here! Be brave, little woman, and all will be well!"
She clung to him passionately, with her arms locked around his neck, and her wet face close to his. Only a confused sense of his words reached her. His tone and his embrace were sufficient.
"And you?"
"I go with you, of course! We shall begin a new life in a new world! Come! We have no time to lose!"
"A new life in a new world." She repeated the words dreamily, still holding him to her. Then a sudden dizziness came. It passed away, but it reminded her that the end could not be far off.
"Adrea, do you not understand? How cold your lips are! Try and bear up, love! We have a long journey before us!"
She shook her head slowly. He began to notice that she was like a dead weight in his arms.
"It is a long journey, love, but I go alone. You cannot come, Paul! Yet I am not afraid, now that you are here!"