And he kissed her on both eyes.
She hastily pressed her lips on his hand.
"That I must receive, always receive!" she cried. "Oh! that I were a queen, and you poor and unknown, that I might shed rays of splendour and happiness over you, and, preferring you among a thousand, might draw you up the golden steps of my throne!"
She had risen, and she now sat with a really royal dignity. Her eyes shone with dark fire, and as she slightly raised her hand, a man had sworn that at a sign from that fair hand, armies would march and a thousand courtiers kneel in the dust. Then she cast down her eyes and said in gentle melting tones,--
"I have nothing to give but my love!"
"And more I do not wish for, from my queen!" he cried, rising from his low chair and sinking on his knees, whilst looking up at her with glowing eyes.
She took his head in both her hands and pressed a long kiss upon his brow.
Suddenly the sound of a bell rang through the room.
A noise was heard in the ante-room.
The servant entered hastily, and cried, more as if giving an alarm than making an announcement: "The Count Rivero!"