She spoke so softly and kindly that it would have been easy to tell her the truth, he thought, for though she could never love him, she would understand, and would forgive him.

He had not dreamed that friendship could be so kind.
"Am I right ?" she asked, after a pause.
"Yes," he answered.

"When I cannot bear it any longer, I will tell you, and you will help me." "Why not now ?" The little question might have been ruinous to all his resolution, if Zorzi had not been almost like a child in his simplicity--or like a saint in his determination to be loyal.

For he thought it loyalty to be silent, not only for the sake of the promise he had given in return for his life, but in respect of his master also, who put such great trust in him.
"Pray do not press me with the question," he said.

"You tempt me very much, and I do not wish to speak of what I feel.