She snatched her hand away.
"How can you talk so at such a time?" she cried, her face flushing.
"Because I love you," he replied, "and I want to have the assurance from your lips that you love me."
"How can you marry the cousin of a possible criminal?"
"I don't care a bit about that: I want to marry you."
"Wait till this affair is ended."
"Oh, I don't mind that; Vassalla will be brought to his trial in a few weeks, and then it will be decided one way or another. But, Carmela," taking her hand once more, "when it is all over will you marry me?"
She paused a moment, then said simply--
"Yes."
Ronald took her in his arms and kissed her.