You shall see, you shall see." Vjera began to move onward and the Count walked by her side, wondering at her manner and tormenting his brain in the vain effort to understand it.
In front of her door he held out his hand.
"Promise me one thing," he said, as she laid her fingers in his and looked up at him.

Her eyes were still full of tears.
"What is it ?" she asked.
"Promise that you will be my wife, when you are convinced that all this good fortune is real.

You do not believe in it, though I cannot tell why.
I only ask that when you are obliged to believe in it, you will do as I ask." Vjera hesitated, and as she stood still the hand he held trembled nervously.
"I promise," she said, at last, as though with a great effort.

Then, all at once, she covered her eyes and leaned against the door-post.

He laid his hand caressingly upon her shoulder.
"Is it so hard to say ?" he asked, tenderly.
"Oh, but if it should ever be indeed true!" she moaned.