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 “I have nothing to forgive in the matter you are thinking of.'"

“Do not put on a mask of deception; you cannot deceive me. Maria Felicia will not offer you charity nor a gift, for she never would accept one herself. A different reward she will have for you, a reward more worthy of her and of you—her hand.”

And again the harper despairingly covered his face.

“Would your sublime mistress humble herself so greatly?” said Andrew, with a scornful laugh.

“I know her; she will certainly offer the sacrifice for the honor of her family—a double sacrifice it will be, for she intended to live a single life.”

“She need not violate her intention on account of me.”

“Do not behave so proudly,” the harper angrily said, and his grief changed to indignation at Andrew’s refusal.

“You do not know her; you do not know how beautiful she is. No man has ever yet