"I'm not. I'll tell you what I'll do; if I ever marry any one, I'll marry you."
"That's altogether too indefinite."
"I don't see it. Meanwhile we're engaged, aren't we?"
"If that's the case—" He reached uncertainly for her hand, and pressed it. "I—I'm very happy!"
She waited an instant, watching him shyly, then said: "Now I must show this to Vittoria. But—please don't look so frightened."
The next instant she was gone. When Miss Fabrizi entered her room, a half-hour later, it was to find her with her eyes red from weeping.
As for Norvin, he had risen to the occasion as best he could. He loved Myra Nell sincerely, tenderly, in a big-brotherly way; he would have gone to any lengths to serve her, yet he could not feel toward her as he felt toward Vittoria Fabrizi. He nerved himself to stand by his word, even though it meant the greatest sacrifice. But the thought agonized him.
Nor was he made more easy as time went on, for Mr. and Mrs. La Branche took it for granted that he was their cousin's affianced lover; and while the girl herself now bewildered him with her shy, inviting coquetry, or again berated him for placing her in an unwelcome position, he could never determine how much she really cared.
When the quarantine was finally lifted he walked out with feelings akin to those of a prisoner who has been reprieved.