“I love Allegra too well to hazard her happiness. I know she loves you--has never cared for any one else. She was heart-whole till she saw you. She had no more thought of love, or lovers, than a child. I want you to marry her soon, Captain Hulbert--very soon, before we leave Rome. Would you not like to be married in Rome?” “I would like to be married in Kamtchatka, or Nova Zembla--or the worst of those places whose very names suggest uncomfortableness. There is no dismallest corner of the earth which Allegra could not glorify and make dear. But, as you suggest, Rome is classic--Rome is mediæval--Rome is Roman Catholic. It would be a new sensation for a plain man like me to be married in Rome. I suppose it could not be managed in St. Peter’s?” “Oh, Captain Hulbert, I want you to be serious.” “I am serious. Why, this is a matter of life or death to me. But I pleaded so hard for a June wedding--and to no purpose. I talked with the artfulness of the first Tempter--I tried to play upon her vanities as an artist. All in vain!” “Tell her that I have set my heart upon seeing her married,” said Isola, in a low voice. “Why, of course, you will see her married, whether she be married in Rome or at Trelasco. That is no argument.” “But it is; indeed it is. Tell her that, if I am to be at her wedding, it must be soon, very soon. Life is so uncertain at best--and, although I feel well and strong, sometimes--to-day, for instance--there are other times when I think the end is nearer than even my doctor suspects. And I know by his face that he does not give me a long lease of life.” “My dear Mrs. Disney, this is morbid. I am grieved to hear you talk in such a strain.” “Don’t notice that. Don’t say anything depressing to Allegra. I want her to go off to her Venetian honeymoon very happily--with not one cloud in her sky. She has been so good and dear to me. It would be hard if I could not rejoice in her happiness. I have rejoiced in it always; I shall take pleasure in it to the end of my life. It is the one unclouded spot----.” She stopped with a troubled air. “Yes, it is a happy fate--to have cared for one, and one only, and to be loved again. Will you do what I ask you, Captain Hulbert? will you hurry on the wedding--for my sake?” “I would do anything difficult and unwelcome for your sake--how much more will I hasten my own happiness--if I can. But Allegra is a difficult personage--as firm as rock when she has once made up her mind. And she has made up her mind to stay with you till you are quite well and strong again.” “She need not leave me for ever, because she marries. She can come back to me after a long honeymoon. We can all meet in Switzerland in August--if--if I go there with Martin, as he proposes.” “Well, I will try to bend that stubborn will.” “And you don’t mind having a quiet wedding, if she consents to a much earlier date?”