As it is--do you think that I have no love for you, Vjera?
Do not think that, dear--do not let me see that you think it, for it would hurt me.

There is much for you, much, very much." "To-day," answered Vjera, sadly, "but not to-morrow." "You are cruel, without meaning to be even unkind," said the Count in an unsteady voice.

This time it was Vjera who took his hand in hers and pressed it.
"God forbid that I should have an unkind thought for you," she said, very tenderly.
The Count turned to her again and there was a moisture in his eyes of which he was unconscious.
"Then believe that I do truly love you, Vjera," he answered.

"Believe that all that there is to give you, I give, and that my all is not a little.

I love you, child, in a way--ah, well, you have your girlish dreams of love, and it is right that you should have them and it would be very wrong to destroy them.