"You order!" "Yes, I, Stephano Ferrari." She looked first at the Italian, then at the chair; and his aspect was so determined that, in order to avoid an unseemly struggle, she sat down as desired, with a shrug of the shoulders. "Now, tell me of this lover." "There is nothing to tell." "You lie!" "I do not lie." With eyes as fierce as his own, she looked straight at him, and it became a question as to which of them had the stronger will. Her determination to retain her position at any price, even at the cost of her husband's life, had roused all her worst passions, and for the first time since he had known her, the Italian averted his eyes with a shudder of dread. "Jettatura," he cried, recoiling from her malignant gaze, and making horns with his fingers to avert the blighting consequences of her look. Mrs. Belswin saw her advantage, and immediately began to play on his superstition. "I have the evil eye, you think. Yes; it is so. Why have you never discovered it before? Because I gave you love. To those who cross me not, I am kind; but an insult---- Ah! you shrink. Well, then, take care. I never forgive. I never forget." Ferrari, completely cowed by her manner, threw himself on his knees before her, and held out his hands with a gesture of entreaty. "Stella 'dora, leave me not. Behold me at your feet, cruel one. I die in your anger." Mrs. Belswin saw that she had gained command over him, but was too wise to push her conquest too far; so, bending down, she gave him her hand, which he covered with fierce kisses. "Rise, Stephano, and I will tell you all. For two weeks I will be in town, and with you all the days. You can call at my hotel if it pleases you. If I decide nothing about my husband you can come down with me to Deswarth, and we will face him together." "But this lover?" "I have no lover. I spoke in jest. Your devotion has touched me, and I will reward it by becoming your wife. For the present," said Mrs. Belswin, with a charming smile, "I will say 'a reverderci.' If you send me a box I will come and hear you sing to-night." Ferrari once more kissed her hand, there was a rustling of skirts, a closing of the door, and she was gone. The Italian stood where she had left him, with a scared look on his face; and after a few minutes looked at the door through which she had vanished, with a nervous smile. "Jettatura!" he muttered, shivering. "Jettatura." CHAPTER XV. THE RETURN OF THE WANDERER. "Oh, I have seen the Southern Cross In Southern skies burn clear and bright, And I have seen the ocean toss Beneath its gleam in waves of white. Its beauty brought me no delight, For I was on a foreign shore; But now joy cometh with the sight Of England's chalky cliffs once more."