When the meal had ended, and we rose, I said to her, This is my friends last evening in Genoa. He returns to England to-morrow.
And do you go also? she asked, with an intonation as I flattered myself of disappointment.
Well; no, I replied; I shall remain a few days longer.
The shadow of anxiety which had rested momentarily upon her face, vanished at once, as she turned to Nugent, saying, I am sorry you are leaving, and must wish you bon voyage. I hope, some day, we may meet again, for our dinner-table discussions have been exceedingly pleasant.
Thanks, Mademoiselle, replied Bob, grasping the tiny white hand she held out to him. My business calls me to London, otherwise I should not return just yet. However, I hope you will prevent my friend, here, from getting into any scrapes with the bloodthirsty Italians after Im gone.
She laughed merrily as she answered, Hes quite old enough to take care of himself. I cannot undertake the responsibility. Good-bye, and she tripped away up the stairs to her own apartments.
Old fellow, exclaimed Bob, after she was out of hearing, if you feel inclined to pitch yourself into the matrimonial net, theres your chance; and I wish you every success.
Well, there are more unlikely things than my enlistment in the ranks of Benedicts, I replied, laughing, as we sought our hats and went out to spend our last evening together.
Early the following morning Nugent departed for Turin, en route for England, and I was left alone to amuse myself as best I could. Truth to tell, I was not sorry Bob had gone, for now I felt free to devote myself to the beautiful woman who held me under her spell. I lost no time in carrying out my object, for meeting her in the drawing-room before dinner, I obtained permission to escort her on her evening walk.
It was already dusk when the tediously long meal was brought to a conclusion, and we left the hotel, strolling along the Galleria Mazzini towards the public gardens of Aqua Sola, the most charming promenade in Genoa. It is situated upon a picturesque cliff overlooking the port and the Mediterranean beyond, while at the rear rise the tall vine-covered Appenines, with romantic-looking villas peeping out here and there from amongst the olives and maize. The shadow of its great old trees form a delightful retreat from the scorching noon-day sun; but at night, when the people refresh themselves after the heat and burden of the day, its gravelled walks are thronged by the élite. Fashionable Genoa enjoys herself with mad but harmless frolic, and under the deep shadows fire-flies flit and couples flirt.
Upon an old stone seat near a plashing fountain we sat listening to the sweet melancholy strains of the Sempre Vostro waltz, performed by the splendid band of the National Guard. On the right the many-coloured fairy lamps of the gardens attached to the Caffé dItalia shone through the dark foliage; on the left the ripple of the sea surged softly far below. Away across the moonlit waters flashed the warning beacon of the port, and the air was heavy with the sensuous odour of orange blossom and roses.
For upwards of an hour we sat talking; she piquante, bright, and amusing; I lazily enjoying a cigar, and watching her beautiful face in rapt admiration. I told her of myself how the interest in my sole object in life had been suddenly destroyed by affluence and my present position, that of a world-weary tourist, with no definite purpose farther than killing time.
All my efforts to learn some events of her past life or her place of abode were unavailing. I am plain Vera Seroff, she replied, and I, too, am a wanderer what you call bird of passage. I have no country, alas! even if I have patriotism.
But you are Russian? I said.
Quite true yes. I shall return to Russia some day. And she sighed, as if the mention of her native land stirred strangely sad memories.
Where do you intend going when you leave here? I asked.
I have not the slightest idea. We have no fixed abode, and travel whither it suits my uncle London, New York, Paris; it matters little where we go.
You have been in England; have you not?
Yes; and I hate it, she replied, abruptly, at once turning the conversation into another channel. She appeared extremely reticent regarding her past, and by no amount of ingenuity could I obtain any further information.
When it grew chilly, we rose and walked along past the forts, and out upon the Spezzia road, where a refreshing breeze blew in from the sea.
In her soft white dress, with a bunch of crimson roses at her throat, I had never seen her looking so beautiful. I loved her madly, blindly, and longed to tell her so.
Yet how could I?
Such a proceeding would be absurd, for our acquaintance had been of so brief a duration that we scarcely knew anything of one another.
Chapter Seven
A Secret Tie
On our return we traversed the road skirting the fortress, and paused for a few moments, resting upon a disused gun-carriage. The moon had reappeared and cast its long line of pale light upon the rippling waters of the Mediterranean.
Suddenly, as we were seated side by side, her dark eyes met mine, and by some inexplicable intuition, some mysterious rapport between my soul and hers, I knew I was something more to her than a mere casual acquaintance. My reason answered me that I must be mad to think she loved me, but my heart told me different, and gradually all my misgivings vanished before the hope and confidence that the conviction of her love raised in my mind.
I have just been wondering, I said, whether, when we part in a few days, we shall ever meet again, for, believe me, I shall cherish the fondest memory of this evening we have passed together. It is charming.
And I also, she replied, but as you say in English, the best of friends must part.
It is useless to repeat the words I uttered. Suffice it to say that I could restrain my feelings no longer, and there, in the bright Italian moonlight, I declared my ecstatic passion, and asked her to be my wife.
Had I taken her unawares? Probably so; for, when I had finished, she rose with an effort, and withdrawing her hand gently, said, No, Frank for I may call you by that name your request I am unable to grant, and the reason I cannot now explain. There is, alas! an insurmountable barrier between us, and had you known more of me you would not have asked me this.
But, Vera, you love me, you cant deny it! I passionately exclaimed.
Tears stood in her eyes, as she answered, Yes, yes, I do I love you dearly!
Then what is this obstacle to our happiness?
No! no! she cried, covering her face with her hands. Request no explanation, for, I I cannot give it. It would be fatal.
But why? I asked, for it was a cruel and bitter disappointment. All my hopes had been shattered in those brief moments.
From the day we first met I have known we loved one another, she said slowly, yet it would have been better had we never become acquainted, since it causes pain to both.
But, surely, if you love me, Vera, this obstacle can be removed! Tell me what it is; if a secret, it will be safe with me, I said earnestly.
She dashed the tears from her eyes, and with an effort stood erect before me, saying:
No! it is impossible. Think no more of marriage, Frank; regard me only as a dear friend who loves you.
Then you will not tell me why we cannot marry? I said, gravely, rising and taking her hand.