Two months afterward, as Miss Charteris sat alone in her favorite
nook--the bower of trees where poor Dora's tragedy had been
enacted--she was found by the Prince di Borgezi. Every one had
said that sooner or later it would come to this. Prince di
Borgezi, the most fastidious of men, who had admired many women
but loved none, whose verdict was the rule of fashion, loved
Valentine Charteris. Her fair English face, with its calm, grand
beauty, her graceful dignity, her noble mind and pure soul had
captivated him. For many long weeks he hovered round Valentine,
longing yet dreading to speak the words which would unite or part
them for life.
Lately there had been rumors that Lady Charteris and her daughter
intended to leave Florence; then Prince di Borgezi decided upon
knowing his fate. He sought Valentine, and found her seated
under the shade of her favorite trees.
"Miss Charteris," he said, after a few words of greeting, "I have
come to ask you the greatest favor, the sweetest boon, you can
confer on any man."
"What is it?" asked Valentine, calmly, anticipating some trifling
request.
Pages:
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193