It was this that made Nera so attractive.

Nera, on hearing this, had tossed her stately head, and had inwardly resolved that before six months she would marryand that, dress or no dress, she would go wherever she had a chance of meeting Count Nobili.

Beside Nera sat Prince Ruspoli, a young Roman of great wealth.

Nera won't get Nobili, my word upon thatthere are too many stories about her.

"Well," burst out Orsetti, no longer able to resist the music (the waltz had been turned into a galop), "I am sure I don't care if Nobili or Ruspoli likes Nera.

You, count, are to dance with Nera Boccarini.

"Does the ladydoes Nera Boccarini know this?" he asked, and as he asked his color heightened.

" "Now what could make Nobili object to dance with Nera Boccarini?" Trenta asked himself, when Nobili was gone, striking his stick loudly on the floor, as a sign for the music to cease.

Nera Boccarini had taken no pains to conceal how much she liked him.

There was a determination about Nera, a power of eye and tongue, an exuberance of sensuous youth, that repelled while it allured him.

Nera had laughed gayly.

" As she spoke, Nera riveted her full black eyes upon Nobili.

"Why should not he and Nera dance onononforever?Into indefinite space, if possibleonly together?"

Nera is triumphant.

If Nobili loves Nera as Nera believes he doesNera will ripen quickly into yet more transcendent beauty.)

If Nobili loves Nera as Nera believes he doesNera will ripen quickly into yet more transcendent beauty.)

Now Nobili has left Nera, seated in the chair.

Nera is a bold, firm dancer, but, unknown to her, the ribbons in falling have become entangled about her feet; she, is bound, she cannot stir; she gives a little scream.

Nera totters, extends her arms, then falls heavily backward, her head striking on the parquet floor.

Putting every one aside, he carries Nera to the nearest window, he lays her tenderly on a sofa.

"Nera, Nera," at last she whispers, "Nera, speak to mespeak to meone wordonly one word!"

" Nera tries to raise her head, but in vain.

Again he lifts Nera tenderly in his arms.

For that night Nera belongs to him; no one else shall touch her.

You know I told you and Orsetti that Nera Boccarini and Nobili understood each other.