"Besides what?" said Uros, after a moment's pause, leaving her time to breathe.
"You'll be a husband yourself, some day," she added in an undertone.
"Never," burst forth Uros, fiercely, "unless I am your husband."
"Hush!" said she, shuddering with fear and crossing herself. "Your father wishes you to marry, and—I wish it too," she added in a whisper.
"No, you don't, Milena; that's a lie," he replied, passionately.
"Could you swear it on the holy Cross?"
"Yes, Uros, if it's for your good, I wish it, too. You know that
I——"
Her pale face grew of deep red hue; even her hands flushed as the blood rushed impetuously upwards.
"Well?" asked Uros, anxiously.
"That I love you far more than I do myself."
He clasped her in his arms tenderly, and kissed her shoulders, not daring to kiss her lips.