"I possess fine vineyards in Hungary, and a jewel-mine."
"My congratulations, illustrious sir."
"And I am your devoted slave, Madame Hesslein." The luring, mocking, maddening face of the lady lit up with fierce joy. She averted it quickly. "I will resume these titles so dignified," cried the chevalier, "I will return to my fatherland; ver' good, mon ange, you shall accompany, you shall be my wife. You shall rule over nine hundred vinedressers, and seven vineyards, ma chère; they are worth seventy thousand florins in the year; and you shall wear the gems of agate, of jasper—of diamonds as you wear this leetel ribbon—madame, all I have shall be yours."
She heard with a cool smile, but a bitter pulse beat in her throat.
"You are flattering, chevalier," she remarked, "and I shall think of it."
He seized her fair hands, and pressed them to his lips, but she snatched them away with a flash from the smoldering fire in her eyes.
"But first," said madame, with a keen glance, "you must assure me that the station you offer me is not gilded by imagination unassisted by gold."
Monsieur sighed in heart-rending despondency.
"Incomparable woman, you doubt what is to the Hungarian noblesse dearer than life—my honor. But come, I will give you my proofs."
He escorted her to her state-room where waited the two maids of the charming lady, who always traveled with a complete retinue of servants, and going to his own cabin, presently he returned holding solemnly in his hands an elegantly silver-mounted coffer which he placed upon the table.