The young girl listened as if in a dream, and unconsciously looked at the vicomte with sparkling eyes.
"Jane, before I saw you I hadn't lived," continued Spero, "but now I know that life is worth living for, and I thank God that he allowed me to find you."
A smile of pleasure flitted across Jane's lips. She did not speak, but Spero felt a warm pressure of the hand, and enthusiastically cried:
"Jane, I love you—love you dearly; Jane, my darling, tell me only once that you love me!"
Jane looked silently at him and then buried her face in her hands, faintly murmuring:
"Yes, Spero, I love you."
"Thanks, my darling, for that word, and now I will leave you. Good-night, Jane—my Jane—oh, how I love you!"
The vicomte left the room and Jane closed her tired eyes.
Suddenly the heavy drapery which covered the door leading to the corridor was thrown aside, a man's form issued therefrom, and his sparkling eyes gazed at the two women.