"Imogene! Be as honest with yourself as you are with me." "I _am_ honest." "Look me in the eyes, then." She did so for an instant, and then hid her face on his shoulder. "You silly girl," he said. "What is it you really do wish?" "I wish there was no one in the world but you and me." "Ah, you'd find it very crowded at times," said Colville sadly. "Well, well," he added, "I'll go to your fandangoes, because you want me to go." "That's all I wished you to say," she replied, lifting her head, and looking him radiantly in the face. "I don't want you to go at all! I only want you to promise that you'll come here every night that you're invited out, and read to Mrs. Bowen and me." "Oh, I can't do that," said Colville; "I'm too fond of society. For example, I've been invited to an Egyptian fancy ball, and I couldn't think of giving that up." "Oh, how delightful you are! They couldn't any of them talk like you." He had learned to follow the processes of her thought now. "Perhaps they can when they come to my age." "There!" she exclaimed, putting her hand on his mouth again, to remind him of another broken promise. "Why can't you give up the Egyptian ball?" "Because I expect to meet a young lady there--a very beautiful young lady." "But how shall you know her if she's disguised?" "Why, I shall be disguised too, you know." "Oh, what delicious nonsense you _do_ talk! Sit down here and tell me what you are going to wear." She tried to pull him back to the sofa. "What character shall you go in?" "No, no," he said, resisting the gentle traction. "I can't; I have urgent business down-town." "Oh! Business in _Florence!"_ "Well, if I stayed, I should tell you what disguise I'm going to the ball in." "I knew it was that. What do you think would be a good character for me?" "I don't know. The serpent of old Nile would be pretty good for you." "Oh, I know you don't think it!" she cried fondly. She had now let him take her hand, and he stood holding it at arm's-length. Effie Bowen came into the room. "Good-bye," said Imogene, with an instant assumption of society manner. "Good-bye," said Colville, and went out. "Oh, Mr. Colville!" she called, before he got to the outer door. "Yes," he said, starting back. She met him midway of the dim corridor. "Only to--" She put her arms about his neck and sweetly kissed him.