Instead of replying, the young man buried his face in his hands and fairly sobbed in his anguish. Zuleika was filled with pity for him, and, as she gazed at him, tears came into her eyes; but still bent on discovering the nature of the obstacle that had so suddenly loomed up between Giovanni and herself, she continued after a pause, in the same coaxing voice: "Esperance, I am no longer a child and should not be treated as one. What I ask of you is only reasonable and just. If I stand on the brink of a gulf I cannot see, it is your duty to inform me not only of my danger but also of its nature. Am I not right?" Heaving a deep sigh, Esperance replied: "Yes, you are right, Zuleika; it is my duty to tell you all--and yet I cannot!" "At least, tell me why you are compelled to maintain silence on a matter of so much importance." "Did you question the Viscount?" "I did." "And what answer did he return?" "Like you, he refused to answer." "Ah! then he has some sense of shame left!" "Shame?" "Yes, shame! And what did you do when he refused to speak?" "I left him." "And you will not see him again?" "Not until he has decided to tell me all." "Then you will never put eyes upon him more; he dare not tell you!" "Dare not! And why?" "Because, did you know the depth of his infamy, you would spurn him from you!" Suddenly a grave suspicion stole into Zuleika's mind and made her tremble from head to foot. Might it not be that Esperance had been as deeply involved in the mysterious and infamous affair of which he declined to speak as Giovanni Massetti himself? The thought was torment, and totally unable to restrain her keen anxiety to be instantly informed upon this topic, Zuleika gasped out: "Were you not, Esperance, as guilty as your former friend?" The young man leaped to his feet as if a tarantula had bitten him. "No, no!" cried he. "I was innocent of all blame in the matter! Luigi Vampa----" He abruptly checked himself and stood staring at his sister, as if in dismay at having unguardedly uttered the brigand's name.