Leo, alone on the
sea, often severely rebuked himself that he could have been so unkind to
the woman to whom he had given his heart and his mother's favorite bit of
jewelry.
A thousand times he wished he could ask Rosie's forgiveness, for it was
in a fit of anger that Rosie had snatched the ruby ring off her hand and
the cameo from her throat, and had thrown them into Leo's lap saying,
"Take them, Leo, you will easily find another girl to share your family
name and your poverty as an artist while I have need of wealth." Leo had
turned from Rosie's home without the power to reply, he was so taken by
surprise.
Leo was never so happy as when Rosie was present in his studio to
encourage him by word or song, but now all was changed.
Sometimes Leo in his secret thoughts feared that Rosie's beauty and
charming manner would command riches, and sometimes he dared to think
that possibly his talent and fame might command a handsome dowry. Then
his mind turned to Lucille. She was taller than Rosie, not so vivacious,
but like Rosie enjoyed a happy time. He even ventured at times to say
mentally of Lucille that "it is she or none on earth," and then as he
recalled the ring given to Rosie, the old love would assert itself and he
would shut his eyes, ashamed of an affection that was false hearted.
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