"As there is a God above, I will," said Maxwell, solemnly, taking the now weeping girl in his arms.
"My poor Stephano, is it you?"
"Ah, cara mia--cara mia," cried Ferrari, throwing himself on his knees beside the sofa. "Do not leave me--do not!"
"Alas, Stephano, it is not in my power! Weep! weep, poor heart! Your tears show me how much love I have lost--love that I did not deserve."
"And I?" said Belk, coming forward.
"You are a good man," said the dying woman, faintly, stretching out her hand. "You will find some one to love you better than I would have done."
"Never! Ah, never!"
"Believe me, what I say is true. Ah!" she cried, with a terrified look on her face. "Kaituna, my dearest!"
In a moment Kaituna was on her knees again, bending over her mother, with the hot tears falling from her eyes.
"Mother! mother! would you like to see a clergyman?"