It may seem to you as though I'd set your
happiness, too, aside. God knows, it hasn't been easy! But what could I
do? I conceive that a man's honour stands before everything. That was
why I let you believe--what you did. My word was given. I couldn't
clear myself. . . . So you see, now, beloved, why we must part."
"No," she said quietly. "I don't see. Why can't I come to Ruvania with
you?"
A sudden light leaped into his eyes, but it died away almost instantly.
He shook his head.
"No, you can't come with me. Because--don't you see, dear?"--very gently
and pitifully. "As my wife, as cousin of the Grand Duchess herself, you
couldn't still be--a professional singer."
There was a long silence. Slowly Diana drew away from her husband,
staring at him with dilated eyes.
"Then that--that was what Baroni meant when, he told me a time would come
when your wife could no longer sing in public?"
Max bent his head.
"Yes. That was what he meant."
Diana stood silently clasping and unclasping her hands. Presently she
spoke again, and there was a new note in her voice--a note of quiet
gravity and steadfast decision.
"Dear, I am coming with you. The singing"--smiling a little
tremulously--"doesn't count--against love."
Max made a sudden movement as though to take her in his arms, then
checked himself as suddenly.
"No," he said quietly. "You can't come with me.
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