"
"I shall not wait."
"Sweet flower of Rome," said he, looking into her eyes, "I know that
you are mine now! Your voice--it is like the love-call of the robin!"
"Stubborn boy! Do you think I care for you?" She stopped and looked
into his eyes.
"Else why should you wish to see the coin?" said he. "But, look! Upon
my soul it is false!" A little silence followed.
"'Tis false!" he repeated. "I swear the coin lies, for I do love you,
dearly."
"It does not lie," she whispered.
He put his arm about her.
"And I know," he answered, "why you think it cannot lie. It said,
before, that you love me, and it was right."
She thrust him away gently, and, rising, as if stricken with sudden
fear of him, ran a few paces up the walk. She turned quickly, and
looked back at him as he approached. Her face had grown pale.
"I--I shall never speak with you again," she whispered.
"Oh, have mercy upon me, beautiful sister of Appius!" said the young
knight, and there was a note of despair in his voice. "Have mercy upon
me!"
"Young sir," said she, retreating slowly, as he advanced, "I do not
love you--I do not love you.
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