"Certainly, certainly," he replied; and both men went out bowing, leaving Armytage alone with the woman he loved. "All this is strange--very strange," he observed when they had gone. He was puzzled; for, after all, he now knew no more than what Consul Hutchinson had already told him. "Yes," she said slowly, "to you it must appear extraordinary, but to me, who expected it and who dreaded it, it was only what might be anticipated. They have warned me out of Italy, it's true; but if they knew everything," she added--"if they knew everything, I should to-night be placed in a criminal's cell." "Why?" "Already I have told you it is impossible for me to explain," she answered vehemently, in her voluble Italian. "If you really love me, it is surely sufficient to know that the police are in ignorance of facts which I feared were revealed; and that they have not obtained the one item of information necessary to effect my ruin and disgrace." "Why do you speak like this?" he demanded quickly. "Has your past life in Florence been so full of mystery that you fear its exposure?" "There are certain matters which I desire to keep secret--which I will keep secret, even if it costs me the loss of you, the man I adore," she answered fiercely. "Then they are matters which surely concern me--if I am to be your husband," he said gravely. "No," she answered calmly, still pale to the lips; "they only concern myself. I admit freely that there is a secret connected with my past--a secret which I shall strive to preserve, because its revelation would, I know, cause you, my beloved, much worry and unnecessary pain. I therefore prefer to hide this truth and fight my enemies alone." "Is not this secret one that, before marrying you, I ought to know?" he demanded earnestly. "It cannot concern you in any way," she declared. "True, it has reference to my past life, but surely you don't believe me to be an adventuress--do you?" "Of course not, piccina," he answered, laughing, as he again placed his arm tenderly around her waist. "You an adventuress! What made you suggest such a thing?" "I must be an enigma to you," she said. "But believe me, I would tell you everything if I could see that you could be benefited in the least. The story is a long and wretched one; and when I reflect upon the closed chapter of my life's history, I am always dolorous and unhappy. The more so because I'm unable to confide in you, the man I love." "Will you explain all to me some day?" "Yes, everything. At present, if I were to tell you, the result would only be disastrous to myself, and in all probability wreck your happiness. Silence is best now--far the best." His face wore a heavy expression of disappointment and dissatisfaction. Truth to tell, the whole matter was so utterly inexplicable that he entertained serious misgivings. She noticed this, and raising her sweet face, now no longer haggard, but pale and sweet-looking, she added--