There! weep no more, love! Viewed in the true light, those who have passed higher are rather to be envied than mourned." Then to change the current of her thoughts he said: "Can you give your mind now to a little business, Salome ?" "Yes, if it concerns you," she sighed, wiping her eyes, and looking up.
"It concerns me only inasmuch as it affects your interests, my love.

You are of age, my Salome ?" "Yes, I was twenty-one on my last birthday." "Then you enter at once upon your great inheritance--an onerous and responsible position." "But you will sustain it for me.

I shall not feel its weight," she murmured.
"There are thousands in this realm, my love, good men and true, who would gladly relieve me of the dear trust," said the duke, with a smile.

"We must, however, be guided by your father's will, which I am happy to know is in entire harmony with your own wishes.

And that brings me to what I wished to say.