"Rise, Stephano, and I will tell you all. For two weeks I will be in town, and with you all the days. You can call at my hotel if it pleases you. If I decide nothing about my husband you can come down with me to Deswarth, and we will face him together."
"But this lover?"
"I have no lover. I spoke in jest. Your devotion has touched me, and I will reward it by becoming your wife. For the present," said Mrs. Belswin, with a charming smile, "I will say 'a reverderci.' If you send me a box I will come and hear you sing to-night."
Ferrari once more kissed her hand, there was a rustling of skirts, a closing of the door, and she was gone.
The Italian stood where she had left him, with a scared look on his face; and after a few minutes looked at the door through which she had vanished, with a nervous smile.
"Jettatura!" he muttered, shivering. "Jettatura."
[CHAPTER XV.]
THE RETURN OF THE WANDERER.
"Oh, I have seen the Southern Cross In Southern skies burn clear and bright, And I have seen the ocean toss
Beneath its gleam in waves of white.