"I have but one fear," he began, at last. "If I were ruined, what would
become of you?"
"Have you lost at play again to-night?" she asked, and in her tone there
was a note of anxiety.
Contarini laughed low, and felt for the wallet at his aide. He held it
up to show how heavy it was with the gold, and made her take it. She
only kept it a moment, but while it was in her hand her eyelids were
half closed as if she were guessing at the weight, for he could not see
her face.
"I won all that," he said. "To-morrow you shall have the pearls."
"How good you are to me! But should you not keep the money? You may need
it. Why do you talk of ruin?"
She knew that he would give her all he had, she almost guessed that he
would commit a crime rather than lack gold to give her.
"You do not know my father!" he answered. "When he is displeased he
threatens to let me starve. He will cut me off some day, and I shall
have to turn soldier for a living. Would that not be ruin? You know his
last scheme--he wishes me to marry the daughter of a rich glass-maker."
"I know." Arisa laughed contemptuously, "Great joy may your bride have
of you! Is she really rich?"
"Yes. But you know that I will not marry her."
"Why not?" asked Arisa quite simply.
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