"He never says so," said Julius. "I rather think he loved the people, but knew them well—and he loved the ingenuities of his wit much better."
"If the heart does not come first, it never comes at all," said Leonora thoughtfully. "If it does not rule it is ruled, and might as well never exist at all. Are you tyrannical, dear?" She smiled at him, knowing how he loved her.
"Oh, yes, indeed," said Julius, laughing; "but only about love."
"But that is just the question," said Leonora. "You ought not to be. Your heart ought to come first."
"Yes, darling," he answered. "The heart comes first, and the heart is a tyrant. Supposing my heart says to yours, 'You shall love me; I will have it at any cost;' is not that tyranny?"
"Perhaps," said Leonora, smiling and touching his hand. "But then it is quite a mutual tyranny, you know, because I say it to you, too,—and you do it."
"I always do everything you say, darling," he answered lovingly.
"Always?"
"Always;—and I always will, Leonora."
"Do you think, Julius—it is a foolish question—do you think you would die for me, if it were necessary?"