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 asked, prepared for some new piece of subtlety and deceit.

"My own. I have heard of your refusal to sign away your estate, Helena. I applaud your resolution. But you cannot stand before the forces that will be brought against you tomorrow, Helena. You must either yield to my father's desire in the matter, or suffer a thing that my dread will not let me name."

"And you have come to counsel me to sign away all that is mine to save you from the thought of this terrible word, Roberto?"

"I have come to offer you freedom," Roberto whispered, his words hot in their eagerness, it seemed, his face pressed close to the bars. She felt his breath on her hand.

"What is your price, then, Roberto?"

There was not even sarcasm in her tone; only the low note of one who had spent her illusions, and had no more interest in man's devices of lure and deceit.

"Price? It is I who will pay the price, it is I who will fling everything away for you! Do you not know the voice of love, Helena?"

"I have heard it so seldom, Roberto," she replied softly, in sorrow. She touched his hand, seen dimly white on the window-bar. "Forgive me, Roberto. I did not know."

"They will have your property whether you go or stay, Helena, my father and General Verdugo, between them. There is only a little time—quick!