My days are numbered. In a
fortnight I shall be where I cannot call my soul my own. I--"
"You alarm me. Are you to be sent to prison?"
"You wouldn't look upon it as a prison, but it seems like one to me.
Do not laugh. I cannot explain to you now. Another day I shall tell
you everything, so pray take me for what I am to-day, and ask no
questions. I have asked no more of you, so do you be equally generous
with me."
"True," she said, "you have asked no questions of me. You take me for
what I am to-day, and yet you know nothing of my yesterdays or my to-
morrows. It is only fair that I should be equally confiding. Let
there be no more questions. Are we, however, to take each other
seriously?"
"By all means," he cried. "There will come a day when you may
appreciate the full extent of my seriousness."
"You speak in riddles."
"Is the time ripe for me to speak in sober earnest?" he questioned
softly. She drew back again in swift alarm.
"No, no! Not now--not yet. Do not say anything now, Mr. Schmidt, that
may put an end to our--to our adventure.
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