XXXIX

samefleshandblood,andyousufferaswedo.Icouldnotdestroyyourhappiness.' 'Oh,Giulia!Giulia!'Then,afterawhile,Iaskedagain,'Butareyousure?' 'Alas,thereisnodoubt!' 'Icannotbelieveit!OhGod,helpme!Youdon'tknowhowIlovedher!Shecouldnot!Letmeseeitwithmyowneyes,Fabio.' Webothstoodsilentthenahorriblethoughtstruckme. 'Doyouknow—whentheymeet?'Iwhispered. Hegroaned.Iaskedagain. 'Godhelpme!' 'Youknow?Icommandyoutotellme.' 'Theydidnotknowyouwerecomingbacktillafterto-morrow.' 'Heiscoming?' 'To-day.' 'Oh!'Iseizedhimbythehand.'Takeme,andletmeseethem.' 'Whatwillyoudo?'heasked,horror-stricken. 'Nevermind,takeme!' Trembling,heledmethroughante-roomsandpassages,tillhebroughtmetoastaircase.Wemountedthestepsandcametoalittledoor.Heopeneditveryquietly,andwefoundourselvesbehindthearrasofGiulia'schamber.Ihadforgottentheexistenceofdoorandsteps,andsheknewnothingofthem.Therewasanopeninginthetapestrytogiveexit. Noonewasintheroom.Wewaited,holdingourbreath.AtlastGiuliaentered.Shewalkedtothewindowandlookedout,andwentbacktothedoor.Shesatdown,butspranguprestlessly,andagainlookedoutofwindow.Whomwassheexpecting? Shewalkedupanddowntheroom,andherfacewasfullofanxiety.Iwatchedintently.Atlastalightknockwasheardsheopenedthedoorandamancamein.Asmall,slight,thinman,withaquantityofcorn-colouredhairfallingoverhisshoulders,andapale,fairskin.Hehadblueeyes,andalittlegoldenmoustache.Helookedhardlytwenty,butIknewhewasolder. Hesprangforward,seizingherinhisarms,andhepressedhertohisheart,butshepushedhimback. 'Oh,Giorgio,youmustgo,'shecried.'Hehascomeback.' 'Yourhusband?' 'Ihopedyouwouldnotcome.Goquickly.Ifhefoundyouhewouldkillusboth.' 'Tellmeyouloveme,Giulia.' 'Ohyes,Iloveyouwithallmyheartandsoul.' Foramomenttheystoodstillinoneanother'sarms,thenshetoreherselfaway. 'Butgo,forGod'ssake!' 'Igo,mylove.Good-bye!' 'Good-bye,beloved!' Hetookherinhisarmsagain,andsheplacedhersaroundhisneck.Theykissedoneanotherpassionatelyonthelipsshekissedhimasshehadneverkissedme. 'Oh!'Igaveacryofrage,andleapedoutofmyconcealment.InaboundIhadreachedhim.TheyhardlyknewIwasthereandIhadplungedmy