"Will you go?" he inquired at last.
"Yes; I will go," I replied. "But will you give me a letter to your friend?"
"Leo has taken it and all necessary explanations already," said Cellini, smiling; "I knew you would go. Heliobas expects you the day after to-morrow. His residence is Hotel Mars, Champs Elysees. You are not angry with me, mademoiselle? I could not help knowing that you would go."
I smiled faintly.
"Electricity again, I suppose! No, I am not angry. Why should I be? I thank you very much, signor, and I shall thank you more if Heliobas indeed effects my cure."
"Oh, that is certain, positively certain," answered Cellini; "you can indulge that hope as much as you like, mademoiselle, for it is one that cannot be disappointed. Before you leave me, you will look at your own picture, will you not?" and, advancing to his easel, he uncovered it.
I was greatly surprised. I thought he had but traced the outline of my features, whereas the head was almost completed. I looked at it as I would look at the portrait of a stranger. It was a wistful, sad-eyed, plaintive face, and on the pale gold of the hair rested a coronal of lilies.
"It will soon be finished," said Cellini, covering the easel again; "I shall not need another sitting, which is fortunate, as it is so necessary for you to go away. And now will you look at the 'Life and Death' once more?"
I raised my eyes to the grand picture, unveiled that day in all its beauty.
"The face of the Life-Angel there," went on Cellini quietly, "is a poor and feeble resemblance of the One I love. You knew I was betrothed, mademoiselle?"
I felt confused, and was endeavouring to find an answer to this when he continued: "Do not trouble to explain, for I know how YOU knew. But no more of this. Will you leave Cannes to-morrow?"
"Yes. In the morning."
"Then good-bye, mademoiselle. Should I never see you again---"
"Never see me again!" I interrupted. "Why, what do you mean?"
"I do not allude to your destinies, but to mine," he said, with a kindly look. "My business may call me away from here before you come back--our paths may lie apart--many circumstances may occur to prevent our meeting--so that, I repeat, should I never see you again, you will, I hope, bear me in your friendly remembrance as one who was sorry to see you suffer, and who was the humble means of guiding you to renewed health and happiness."