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"Of course, it was an invitation for luncheon"

"You have, since we have been in Florence--"

"I have been absolutely faithful to you" replied Wanda, "I swear it by all that is holy to me All that I have done was merely to fulfill your dream and it was done for your sake

"However, I shall take a lover, otherwise things will be only half accomplished, and in the end you will yet reproach h, ain, the only one I love I haven't given away your clothes They are here in the chest Go and dress as you used to in the little Carpathian health-resort when our love was so inti that has happened since; oh, you will forget it easily in an to treat me tenderly like a child, to kiss racious smile, "Go now and dress, I too will dress Shall I put on !"

When I returned she was standing in the center of the rooed with ermine; her hair hite with powder and over her forehead she wore a small diamond diadem For a moment she reminded me in an uncanny way of Catherine the Second, but she did not give me much time for reminiscences She drew me down on the ottoman beside her and we enjoyed two blissful hours She was no longer the stern capricious mistress, she was entirely a fine lady, a tender sweetheart She showed raphs and books which had just appeared, and talked about theood taste, that I more than once carried her hand to my lips, enraptured She then had me recite several of Lermontov's poems, and when I was all afire with enthusiasently on mine Her expression was soft, and her eyes were filled with tender pleasure

"Are you happy?"

"Not yet"

She then leaned back on the cushions, and slowly opened her kazabaika

But I quickly covered the half-bared breast again with the erin her arue, when again she whispered, "Are you happy?"