"Ah! Yes, I have, Nino. It is my inability to tell everything, to explain myself, and to present my actions to you in a true light, that worries me so." "But why can't you tell me everything?" he demanded. "Because I fear to." "I love you, Gemma," he assured her tenderly. "Surely you do not doubt the strength of my affection?" "No," she whispered, agitated, her trembling fingers closing upon his. "I know you love me. What I fear is the dire consequences of the exposure of my secret." "Then, to speak plainly, you are in dread of the actions of some person who holds power over you?" he hazarded. She was silent. Her heart beat wildly, her breast heaved and fell quickly; her chin sank upon her chest in an attitude of utter dejection. "Have I guessed the truth?" he asked in a calm, serious voice. She nodded in the affirmative with a deep-drawn sigh. "Who is this person whom you fear?" "Ah! no, Nino," she burst forth, trembling with agitation she had vainly striven to suppress. "Do not ask me that. I can never tell you-- never!" "But you must--you shall!" he cried fiercely. "I love you, and will protect you from all your enemies, whoever they may be." "Impossible," she answered despairingly. "No, let us part. You can have no faith in me after my wretched admissions of to-day." "I still have every faith in you, darling," he hastened to reassure her. "Only tell me everything, and set my mind at rest." "No," she protested. "I can tell you nothing--absolutely nothing." "You prefer, then, that we should be put asunder rather than answer my questions?" "I cannot leave Italy with you," she answered simply but harshly. "Not if we were to marry in England as soon as the legal formalities can be accomplished?" "I am ready to marry you here--to-day if you desire," she said. "But I shall not go to London." "Why?" "I have reasons--strong ones," she answered vehemently. "Then your enemies are in London?" he said quickly. "Are they English?" At that instant the door-bell rang loudly, and both listened intently as Margherita answered the somewhat impetuous summons. There were sounds of low talking, and a few moments later the servant, pale-faced and scared, entered the room, saying-- "Signorina! There are two officers of police in the house, and they wish to speak with you immediately." "The police!" Gemma gasped, trembling. "Then they've discovered me!" There was a look of unutterable terror in her great blue eyes; the light died instantly out of her sweet face; she reeled, and would have fallen had not her lover started up and clasped her tenderly. Her beautiful head, with its mass of fair hair, fell inert upon his shoulder. This blow, added to the mental strain she had already undergone, had proved too much. "Nino," she whispered hoarsely, "you still love me--you love me, don't you? And you will not believe what they allege against me--not one single word?" CHAPTER ELEVEN. SILENCE IS BEST.