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"As the bitter black frost of a night Slays the roses with pitilessto the dust, So thy cruelty murdereth me

"Yet in spite of thy queenly disdain, Thou art seared by my passion and pain; Thou shalt hear me repeat, till I die for it, sweet! 'I love thee! I dare to love THEE!'"

He ended abruptly and with passion, and rose from the piano directly

I was enthusiastic inand of the splendid voice which had given it utterance, and the Prince seerateful for the praise accorded hie entered to announce that "the carriage aiting for mademoiselle," and I prepared to leave Zara kissed , "Coraceful salute to Prince Ivan, and left the room immediately

Heliobas then offered e Prince Ivan accompanied us As the hall door opened in its usual noiseless ha the coach and spirited manner in which they pawed the stones and pranced Before descending the steps I shook hands with Heliobas, and thanked hi I had passed

"We will try to make all your tiht! What, Ivan," as he perceived the Prince attiring hi?"

"Yes, I aaiety; "I aht, and I won't inflict myself upon you, Casie if she will permit me"

We went down the steps together, Heliobas watching us froham, he whispered: "Are you one of them!"

I looked at him in bewilderment

"One of them!" I repeated "What do you mean?"

"Never mind," hee: "if you are not now, you will be, or Zara would not have kissed you If you ever have the chance ask her to think of ht"

I was touched and a little sorry for him I held outto the coachman, "36, Avenue du Midi," stood on the paverave in the starlight, as the carriage rolled swiftly away, and the door of the Hotel Mars closed