Casa Braccio, Volumes 1 and 2

bbess was better, and as yet there had been no

far from her, leaning forward, and trying to see her face, silent, and in a dangerous mood. She had refused to let him come near her, and even to raise her veil. Wh

; the deadly s

," he answered; but sh

he storm, when the very air seems to start at the fall of a leaf for fear lest it be already the thunder-clap. It was more like the noiseless rising of

time. "You say it, but you do not think it. You are a ma

ave done nothing that any loving maiden need be ashamed of. I kissed you, for you could not help yourself. That is the monstrous crime which you say is to be punished with eternal damnation. It is m

me again." She spoke away from

were just grown up, they buried you, your beauty, your youth, your fresh young heart, your voice and your genius-for it is nothing less. It was all done with deliberate intention for the glory of your family, blasphemously asserted to be the glory of God. It was pressed upon you, before you knew what you were doing, and made pleasa

ed head slowly twice or three

come, and saintship, and the glories of heaven. You have found out what it is all worth. We have found it out together. And they frightened you with hell. Do

you away by force. Will you not go? I cannot cry out for help-it would ruin me and you. Will you

ymple, and it seemed to Maria that

nd as her head sank forward, it was her forehead t

erciful than Go

ing, bent down and leaned upon the table by her side and spoke close to her ear. But he did not touch her. She could feel his b

me with me. You are free. You can get through the garden at night-with good horses we can reach the sea to-morrow. There is an English ship of war at anchor in

and again, closer and closer to her ear. Her hands had dropped fro

ur life with sweet things. All your life, Maria, from to-morrow. Instead of pain and penance and everlasting suffering and weariness, you shall have all that the world holds of love and peace and flowers. And you shall sing your whole heart out when you

ear. But his hands moved too, stealthily, strongly, as a tiger's velvet feet, with a vibration all through them, to the very ends of his fingers. For he was in earnest. And the arm went softly ro

even the worst passion has when it is real to the roots. Words terrible and gentle, blasphemous and devout, wove themselves into a new language such as Maria Addolorata had never heard, nor dared to think of hearing. But he dared everything, to tell her, to hold her, against God and devil, heaven and earth, and all mankind. And he promised all he had, and all that was not his to

t. Gradually as he spoke, her veiled face was drawn toward his; gradually her hand raised the thick veil and drew it back; and again a little, and the hand that

upon my sinful soul

s arms, and pressing his lips to her head. "That is all the world

him with her hands as though to hold him, and ye

aid, with a despairing

red, "and to-morrow will be ours, to

nds loosened their hold upon his a

he asked, with a quick gl

he met his eyes again. And almost instantly she turned fro

r of it all-the sin, the shame, the disgrace! That is

not be worth having if she refused. He knew well enough that they must almost certainly be pursued, and that there would be little hesitation about shooting him or cutting his throat if they were caught and if he resisted, as

most?" he asked sudden

tled, and looked

do, I take God to witness that I shall be a dead

had never seen her turn pale before. She leaned

he said, as though trying

slowly, pale himself, a

ms with her hands, for she could not spe

fused-if I would not go with you?

he an

Maria Addolorata said nothing. The frown deepened on Dalrymple's face, and his s

gently loosening hi

hand was almost on the latch. He did not turn. But as he heard her swift feet behind him,

ied, drawing his

ists and held her away fr

fiercely. "If you play with m

imploringly. "Not to-night! Giv

r losing you. I know what it mean

There is not time-th

objections she made. So dangerous a flight could not be undertaken without some preparation. He loosed her hands and began to pace the room, c

height with his eyes. "I have a plaid which would cover your hea

never l

sible-that you should not be missed-to get away just at the beginning of the longest time

ession of the gardener, who took it away with him at night, but the lock was on the inside, and uncovered, as old Italian locks are. By raising the curved spring one could push b

you keep in the shadow along the wall, there is not the slightest risk. I will be waiting for you on the other side of the gate with my cloak and plaid. I will have the horses ready, a littl

ily upon the chai

y. "The shame of it! To be the talk of Rome-the sca

oftly with the palm of his hand, making a few quick steps backward a

said. "I will not repe

annot be i

are more afraid of a little talk and gossip in Rome, than of being told to-

d his footsteps, she threw her veil back and saw

g her breath. "You know that you make m

e answered. "I mean to have you at any pric

out of keeping with his nature. There is no more desperate blood in the world's veins than that of the Celt when he is driven

f her sex, and as she looked at Dalrymple she recognized in him the man who would do what he said, or

" she said, and she f

er head again. Her temples were throbbing,

still standing near the door. "

she answered slowly, and st

uncertain as before. All at once Dalrymple's manner changed. He came quietly to her sid

ot play with a man's life and heart, as though they were worth nothing but play. You cal

l avoiding his look. "Yes, I mu

, still speaking very quietly. "I must be sure. You must give

up with sta

hat shall I do? I-I promise! You yours

he hand he held, with softly incr

m. "I can see it. You will do wha

redulously i

oubt me?"

hange your mind easily. I do not b

as he pressed her hand, the power he h

ice. "And still you doubt-I see it in your e

make me believe you." The strength of his

e you? Am I not giving my soul for you? Have I

ond time, holding her with his eye

his own. His hands shook, not weakly, as they held hers. His piercing eyes seemed to see through and through her.

ously, and her eyelids contrac

But just then, he was not more desperate. There was a short, intense sil

th my blood!" sh

The bright scarlet drops rose high and broke, and trickled in vivid stripes across her hand as she held it before his face. Her own was very white,

t as his arms went round her; and the pa