"Believe that your happiness is everything to me; believe that I will take no unfair advantage of a hasty promise.

Tell me that, of your own free will, you will be my wife, arid command me anything, that I may prove my devotion.

It is so true, so honest,--Tullia, I adore you, I live only for you! Speak the word, and make me the happiest of men!" He really looked handsome as he knelt before her, and she felt the light, nervous pressure of his hand at every word he spoke.

After all, what did it matter?
She might accept him, and then--well, if she did not like the idea, she could throw him over.

It would only cost her a violent scene, and a few moments of discomfort.