“I love you, Gemma,” he assured her tenderly. “Surely you do not doubt the strength of my affection?”
“No,” she whispered, agitated, her trembling fingers closing upon his. “I know you love me. What I fear is the dire consequences of the exposure of my secret.”
“Then, to speak plainly, you are in dread of the actions of some person who holds power over you?” he hazarded.
She was silent. Her heart beat wildly, her breast heaved and fell quickly; her chin sank upon her chest in an attitude of utter dejection.
“Have I guessed the truth?” he asked in a calm, serious voice.
She nodded in the affirmative with a deep-drawn sigh. “Who is this person whom you fear?”
“Ah! no, Nino,” she burst forth, trembling with agitation she had vainly striven to suppress. “Do not ask me that. I can never tell you—never!”
“But you must—you shall!” he cried fiercely. “I love you, and will protect you from all your enemies, whoever they may be.”
“Impossible,” she answered despairingly. “No, let us part. You can have no faith in me after my wretched admissions of to-day.”
“I still have every faith in you, darling,” he hastened to reassure her. “Only tell me everything, and set my mind at rest.”