“You have been in my heart ever since I can remember,” he said, “but I never thought that I would ever find you outside a painting.”
“But I am here – and I am – real.”
“I know that,” he said, “and I swear to you, my precious darling, that I will die rather than allow you to marry any man, let alone that devil who is torturing your father!”
Florencia gave a little cry.
“Suppose he – injures you or – kills you?”
“I will take great care of myself for your sake.”
He kissed her again, a loving tender kiss that made them both feel as if they were floating in the air miles away from the earth.
Then, as they came back to reality, Lord Mere rose from the bed with a sigh.
“Goodnight, my precious, my beautiful wife-to-be!” he said.
The deepness of his voice and the love in his eyes made her
