But it was not a stranger that entered; to her unspeakable amazement, it was Giovanni Severi.

In a flash she understood that by some trick she had been brought to his brother's dwelling.

She was alone with him and the door was locked on the outside.
She laid one hand on the back of the nearest chair, to steady herself, wondering whether she were not really lying ill in her bed and dreaming in the delirium of a fever.

But it was no dream; he was standing before her, looking into her face, and his own was stern and dark as an Arab's.

When he spoke at last, his voice was low and determined.
'Yes.