poured her soul at him from half-closed, moist eyes that gleamed like midnight pools in starlight. “Yet must my chosen man assure me of his love for me, and his contempt for my riches. For, though my treasures shall be his, yet will I be first in his heart or forget him.”

“And first you are, and shall be, Dolores,” whispered Pearse, leaning his chin on her forehead and glaring covetously at the littered wealth of the chests. “What man of warm blood can see any other being or thing when Dolores is by?”

“Then come. I believe thee,” she said, rising slowly. “Come with me, my man above price. See here.”

She swept back a piece of tapestry at the rear of the chamber, and disclosed a dark and gloomy